Pasture-Raised Chickens in Delaware & Otsego County
I raise these birds the way they're meant to be raised—on open pasture with plenty of sunshine, fresh air, and room to move. It’s hard work, but you can taste the difference in every bite.
Our meat chickens are much happier out on pasture than in small chicken tractors. This portable shelter gives them shade and protection while allowing them to forage on fresh grass every day.
A group of our Cornish Cross chickens finding shade in the tall grass on a sunny day. This is what pasture-raised poultry is all about, giving them a natural and low-stress environment.
Young chicks and ducklings enjoying the outdoors together. We provide them with fresh water and food in the pasture as they grow.
Here you can see our guard goose, Gabby, watching over the flock. We even have a small pool for the ducks to enjoy on the pasture.
This is where our meat chicks start their lives, in a warm and safe brooder. We use brooder plates to keep them warm and provide fresh food, water, and bedding.
A top-down view of our Red Broiler chicks in the brooder. They huddle together for warmth and are already starting to explore their surroundings.
A close-up of a healthy, fluffy Red Broiler chick. From this safe start, they will soon move out to the pasture to continue growing.
These are our Cornish Cross chicks in the brooder. We raise multiple batches throughout the year to provide a steady supply of local, pastured chicken to our community.
About Happy, Pasture-Raised Chickens
My Cornish Cross and Red Broilers aren't kept in stationary coops. I move them across open paddocks using electronet fencing, so they’re always on fresh grass, foraging for bugs and getting the natural exercise that makes the meat firm and flavorful.
The Difference of Pasture-Raised
You’ve probably noticed that store-bought chicken often feels watery or soft. That's because those birds never see the sun or walk on grass. My approach is different. By keeping the birds on pasture, they get a mix of forage—grass, seeds, and insects—alongside their grain feed. This diet, combined with the freedom to roam, creates a distinct, richer flavor and a firmer texture that supermarket meat just cannot match.
How I Raise Them
I rotate between Cornish Cross for those plump, tender breasts and Red Broilers for a slightly deeper, richer flavor profile. They start in the brooder with heat plates until they’re sturdy enough to head outside. Once they’re out on the grass, they have 24/7 access to fresh air and sunlight. I do not use growth hormones, and I manage the flock with protection from our guard goose, Gabby, who keeps an eye on the paddocks.
Ordering Information
Farming is a seasonal game. I raise these in batches throughout the year, so it is not always 'buy on demand.' If you want to put some of this in your freezer, send me a message so I can add you to the waiting list for the next batch. I am based here in Delhi, and I keep the list updated for folks in Delaware and Otsego County.
Maria Schermerhorn
I’m Maria, and keeping this farm running is a daily challenge—some days it is more 'disguise' than 'paradise.' I do not raise these chickens for a bottom line; I raise them because I believe you deserve to know exactly where your food comes from and how it lived.
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