WELCOME TO HEAVEN on earth! Summer Update 2010 **************************************************************** “Ah summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” With thanks to American author and long time New York Times commentator Russell Baker, we think he struck the 2010 summer weather chord, at least for this part of western New Jersey. Heat, humidity, drought and, lately, powerful thunderstorms, dominate this summer’s weather themes. Our Speckled Sussex chickens pasture beautifully and much prefer the fodder fetched outdoors to the nutritionally correct organic feed available inside. In late August, the males will fulfill their destiny at the butcher shop while the hens will implement their egg laying birthright. They are great birds and we look forward to managing them and adding to their flock in the years to come. These poultry are not some genetic super chicken that grows terribly fast and produces more than their little bodies can reasonably sustain. This breed was created over 100 years ago in Sussex, England. While threatened some time ago, they are making a great comeback as people realize what great dual purpose (food and laying) birds they are. It is healthy and normal for a chicken to take many weeks to grow and mature. They have much to accomplish each day in the outdoors and need time to reach adulthood. Who are we to rush them in their life’s journey? Bourbon Red Heritage turkeys are beautiful and a sight to see. They are an absolute riot. They squawk incessantly and follow each other around, and follow you around, if you’re around. They fly and love to pasture on everything they can outdoors. They usually sleep in trees yet they always remember where their home is for a bit of a roost, a drink of water, and a snack from time to time. We will soon install a fence around the general area where their 12’ x 20’ shed is, not to keep them in (you can’t keep them in unless you confine them, which we would never do) but to provide them an outdoor safe zone, guaranteed free from predators. Why Speckled Sussex chickens and Bourbon Red Heritage turkeys? This is real food produced by real breeds that existed in the late 1800’s. These breeds developed from an agrarian society because they were excellent examples of healthy, tasty, and nutritious food. Look at what has happened to supermarket chicken and processed turkey meat since large multi-national corporations took over our food supply. Do not ignore the link between good health and the food you eat. Why eat these breeds of chickens and turkeys? If you don’t, there will be no demand and without demand the breed will perish. And we’ll all be left with $.49/lb tasteless poultry raised inhumanely and filled with drugs.
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The current owners acquired the property in 2004 and meticulously restored and renovated these two stone buildings in 2005-2006. The month of acquisition housed a blue moon, hence the farm’s name. A lovely stream meanders throughout the acreage, and natural springs abound.
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Two Day old Burbon Red Turkey at the BlueMoon Farm
Historically, the property was utilized as a dairy and poultry farm. Like many family farms from a bygone era, the property was self-sufficient with multiple cisterns for drinking water, crops for humans and animals, barns and a silo, a windmill to generate power to deliver fresh water to the barns and farmhouse, and orchards throughout. The 42° fresh spring water flowing constantly through the Spring House kept dairy products cool for use in the farmhouse as milk, butter, and cheese. Acres of dense timber stands provided firewood and construction material.
By the eve of the millennium, the farm had fallen into decline and the buildings were abandoned. The current owners rescued the property and cleared years of neglect and acres of overgrowth. They hope to re-establish its nobility and original mission. New fencing is installed in places and chickens have the run of the yard when not laying or roosting in their beige hen house. Farm fresh free-range brown eggs are available for a reasonable price. Lean healthy heritage breed broilers raised humanely with constant access to fresh air and sunshine are available seasonally, along with fresh produce, hand crafted natural shea butter soap, and seasoned firewood.
