Frequently Asked Questions
What do you feed your birds? I want soy-free eggs.
Currently I purchase all my feed from Modesto Milling. They only sell certified organic feed and independent tests have been negative for GMO contamination. I purchase their soy-free formulas for both the chickens and the turkeys so all the eggs I sell are soy-free.
Is your feed also corn-free?
No, it contains organic, GMO-free corn.
What color are your eggs?
Each carton of eggs contains a mix of colors, from pale tan to dark brown, occasional blue to green. Egg color is dependent on the breed of chicken and there is no nutritional difference between them. Sometimes the eggs, dark brown especially, contain blood or meat spots which can occur when blood or a bit of tissue is released along with a yolk. These are perfectly edible and healthy to eat.
Do you free range your birds?
That is not possible out here in the desert mountain foothills if I want to keep my birds safe from predators. Bobcats are quite common and I see them frequently even during the daytime. They are my worst predators since they can climb any fence. All my pens are chain link and/or welded wire, tops included. They are large pens so the birds have plenty of room. Also, most of
the year, the desert does not yield much in the way of range. No lush fields of grass or forage here.
Where can I find you? Do you sell your eggs or processed birds at the local farmer’s markets?
Customers come out to my farm to pick up. I am located on the NW side of Tucson, near Ina and Silverbell Roads. Call for directions. You can also find my eggs at the Food Bank table at the Santa Cruz River Farmer's Market, 100 S. Avenida del Convento, near the corner of Congress Street and Grande, across from El Rio Health Center. Organic soy-free eggs are $6/dozen at the market.
When do you hatch baby chicks?
Usually only winter through early spring. Sometimes I will hatch in the fall but rarely later than the end of April. Started chicks, half grown birds and some older birds are available after that. I will hatch to order but usually no later than April.
What about turkey poults? When can I buy them?
Turkeys are more seasonal than chickens and typically start laying here in March and quit about October. I do most of my hatching in the early spring right after they start laying. In the heat of the summer, fertility is poor, but I may still hatch for orders.
Can you ship? What are the costs?
Yes, I can ship to the Continental U.S. There is a shipping box fee of $5.50 for chicks and $12.50 for started birds. Postage varies depending on whether birds are shipped Priority Mail or Express Mail and also on your location. There is a minimum of 25 to ship baby chicks or 15 for turkey poults. Contact me for a price quote. Turkey poults are more delicate than chicks so I only ship those via Express Priority shipping for those unless you live very close (like Phoenix area or Flagstaff). I do not ship adult turkeys.
Do you sell hatching eggs?
No.
The local feed store sells chicks for $4. Why are yours so expensive?
The feed stores sell hatchery stock. All of my birds are Standard Bred, potential show quality stock. There is a world of difference since hatchery stock are not bred to the Standard of Perfection. Hatchery chickens often have other breeds like White Leghorn mixed in to boost egg production, and are usually smaller. That is why they typically do not look like the breed should look like. Big commercial hatcheries are all about volume and production. Temperament is another issue that is not worked with. A small breeder will not put up with a mean rooster but this is overlooked in a big operation. Rhode Island Reds are a prime example of all of this. Hatchery birds are really Production Red, don’t look anything like the true breed, and have a horrible reputation for being mean. In addition to the quality of the birds, I feed all organic which is much more expensive but produces healthy birds.
Are you NPIP?
No, I have chosen not to participate in this program.
Can I keep turkeys in with my chickens?
There is no one answer to that question. Some people house them together with no problems. Other people report problems, like the turkeys eating the chicken eggs (but leaving their own eggs alone) or the hens picking on the chickens. Nesting hens are more prone to go after other non-turkey birds disturbing their nest. Reportedly the turkeys do not like roosters and might be inclined to kill one. A lot depends on how much space they have also. Chickens can carry blackhead disease, to which turkeys are susceptible. My understanding is, blackhead is not prevalent here in Arizona, but it would be a good idea to check with your local agriculture department to ask if it is where you are. Also, turkeys fly really well so expect some wandering, sitting on rooftops, on top of vehicles, in trees etc. unless your pens are covered on top. I do not house mine together so any information is second hand from other turkey keepers. As young poults, their protein needs are much greater than chickens (28% minimum for the first few months) so feeding is also a consideration. I definitely would not put very young poults in with adult chickens as the chickens might kill them. So they would need to be kept separate until they are big enough to fend for themselves against the chickens. If you get them (turkeys and chickens) all at the same time and they are raised together from babies, they should integrate fine.
Currently I purchase all my feed from Modesto Milling. They only sell certified organic feed and independent tests have been negative for GMO contamination. I purchase their soy-free formulas for both the chickens and the turkeys so all the eggs I sell are soy-free.
Is your feed also corn-free?
No, it contains organic, GMO-free corn.
What color are your eggs?
Each carton of eggs contains a mix of colors, from pale tan to dark brown, occasional blue to green. Egg color is dependent on the breed of chicken and there is no nutritional difference between them. Sometimes the eggs, dark brown especially, contain blood or meat spots which can occur when blood or a bit of tissue is released along with a yolk. These are perfectly edible and healthy to eat.
Do you free range your birds?
That is not possible out here in the desert mountain foothills if I want to keep my birds safe from predators. Bobcats are quite common and I see them frequently even during the daytime. They are my worst predators since they can climb any fence. All my pens are chain link and/or welded wire, tops included. They are large pens so the birds have plenty of room. Also, most of
the year, the desert does not yield much in the way of range. No lush fields of grass or forage here.
Where can I find you? Do you sell your eggs or processed birds at the local farmer’s markets?
Customers come out to my farm to pick up. I am located on the NW side of Tucson, near Ina and Silverbell Roads. Call for directions. You can also find my eggs at the Food Bank table at the Santa Cruz River Farmer's Market, 100 S. Avenida del Convento, near the corner of Congress Street and Grande, across from El Rio Health Center. Organic soy-free eggs are $6/dozen at the market.
When do you hatch baby chicks?
Usually only winter through early spring. Sometimes I will hatch in the fall but rarely later than the end of April. Started chicks, half grown birds and some older birds are available after that. I will hatch to order but usually no later than April.
What about turkey poults? When can I buy them?
Turkeys are more seasonal than chickens and typically start laying here in March and quit about October. I do most of my hatching in the early spring right after they start laying. In the heat of the summer, fertility is poor, but I may still hatch for orders.
Can you ship? What are the costs?
Yes, I can ship to the Continental U.S. There is a shipping box fee of $5.50 for chicks and $12.50 for started birds. Postage varies depending on whether birds are shipped Priority Mail or Express Mail and also on your location. There is a minimum of 25 to ship baby chicks or 15 for turkey poults. Contact me for a price quote. Turkey poults are more delicate than chicks so I only ship those via Express Priority shipping for those unless you live very close (like Phoenix area or Flagstaff). I do not ship adult turkeys.
Do you sell hatching eggs?
No.
The local feed store sells chicks for $4. Why are yours so expensive?
The feed stores sell hatchery stock. All of my birds are Standard Bred, potential show quality stock. There is a world of difference since hatchery stock are not bred to the Standard of Perfection. Hatchery chickens often have other breeds like White Leghorn mixed in to boost egg production, and are usually smaller. That is why they typically do not look like the breed should look like. Big commercial hatcheries are all about volume and production. Temperament is another issue that is not worked with. A small breeder will not put up with a mean rooster but this is overlooked in a big operation. Rhode Island Reds are a prime example of all of this. Hatchery birds are really Production Red, don’t look anything like the true breed, and have a horrible reputation for being mean. In addition to the quality of the birds, I feed all organic which is much more expensive but produces healthy birds.
Are you NPIP?
No, I have chosen not to participate in this program.
Can I keep turkeys in with my chickens?
There is no one answer to that question. Some people house them together with no problems. Other people report problems, like the turkeys eating the chicken eggs (but leaving their own eggs alone) or the hens picking on the chickens. Nesting hens are more prone to go after other non-turkey birds disturbing their nest. Reportedly the turkeys do not like roosters and might be inclined to kill one. A lot depends on how much space they have also. Chickens can carry blackhead disease, to which turkeys are susceptible. My understanding is, blackhead is not prevalent here in Arizona, but it would be a good idea to check with your local agriculture department to ask if it is where you are. Also, turkeys fly really well so expect some wandering, sitting on rooftops, on top of vehicles, in trees etc. unless your pens are covered on top. I do not house mine together so any information is second hand from other turkey keepers. As young poults, their protein needs are much greater than chickens (28% minimum for the first few months) so feeding is also a consideration. I definitely would not put very young poults in with adult chickens as the chickens might kill them. So they would need to be kept separate until they are big enough to fend for themselves against the chickens. If you get them (turkeys and chickens) all at the same time and they are raised together from babies, they should integrate fine.