Our Farm
Wintergreen Family Farm is located in beautiful Grand Rapids, OH just a few miles south of town. Our farm grew out of a passion for animals, concern over food insecurity and hunger in our community, and belief in sustainable farming. A large creek runs along the farm’s eastern edge providing vital nutrients for our foraging pastures. We may be small – located on just four acres – but we are happy “chicken tenders” 🙂
Our Commitment to Sustainable and Ethical Chicken Farming
Read about our commitment to sustainable and ethical chicken farming here.
Our Chicken Facilities
Chickens are housed in a combination of indoor (called a “Hen House”) and outdoor (called a “Chicken Run”) spaces. On our farm, we have two large connected hen houses with over 1,500 square feet of useable space for the chickens. The chickens have access to nesting boxes (to lay eggs), roosting bars (where they sleep), fresh water, and food!
To the west of the Hen House we have about 1,250 square feet of fully-enclosed space for the chickens with multiple sources of food, vitamins and minerals, fresh water, and things to play with! Every chicken can move freely between the hen house and this outdoor free-range area throughout the day.
To the east of the Hen House, we have about 10,000 square feet of fenced in pasture for the chickens. With a few exceptions (e.g., severe weather, health/safety, construction) the chickens have complete freedom to come and go into the pasture as they choose! It’s feels a bit like Jurassic Park!
With all that space, how do you protect the flock?
Great question! In chicken terms, there are hens and roosters. While hens are the stars of the show and lay all the delicious eggs we eat, roosters help with social interactions, flock stability, and protection. Our farm currently has two roosters for security and protection: Hercules and Ajax. Hercules is the primary rooster and Ajax is the second-in-command.
Ajax (above) standing guard while the flock forages in the pasture.
This truly magnificent beast is Hercules. Hercules is our Head Rooster and he is absolutely epic. Read more about Hercules on his own special page here.
Our Feed
We believe in local and sustainable sources of feed for our chickens as well as ensuring that every chicken receives balanced nutrition and vitamins needed for healthy lives. We source most of our feed from the Ottawa Lake Co-op just up the road in Ottawa Michigan – picking up at least 1,000 pounds each month! We also source our treats from Drewes Farms – a multigenerational family farm – located in Custar, OH just a few miles down the road from our farm! The hens love the fresh black sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and wheat – all of which are non-GMO from Drewes Farms.
Our Egg Processing…Process
We hand collect eggs multiple times a day each day of the week. Eggs are washed, cleaned, and inspected. Finally, we “candle” each egg to examine the shell for cracks or irregularities. Then the eggs are packed and ready to travel to your house to be enjoyed!
Want to Learn More?
If you are interested in chickens, animal welfare and sustainable food production and want to learn more give us as call/text or send us an email to set up a time to visit the farm! There is no cost for visiting the farm and all people are welcome.
Wintergreen Family Farm, LLC 