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chicken
nature’s  green  acres
 
 
 
Happy and Healthy Chickens  At nature’s green acres we strive for happy and healthy. We want our animals, our land, and our customers to be just that, Happy and Healthy. We’ve found through research and generations of farming experience the best meat, taste and nutrition, is produced by animals living the way they were created to; outside, eating grass, grains, and bugs, with plenty of fresh air and sunshine. We buy our day old chicks from an Alberta hatchery, they are kept nice and warm, dry, well fed and watered on unmedicated feed until they are big enough and the weather is warm enough for them to survive outside. This usually takes about 3-4 weeks. The birds are then housed in big bottomless cages to protect them from predators, but to still allow them to eat fresh green grass, bugs, worms, and seeds. These cages have a covered area to protect them from the sun and rain. Every day, twice a day, the poultry receive fresh water, a mixed grain ration, and the cages are moved to provide fresh grass and bug pickings. This not only benefits the chickens but also the land by spreading their manure, which is high in nitrogen and naturally fertilizes the soil. They also help people, and other animals by controlling the insect population. The more birds the better! Have you ever noticed the “black stuff” around the bones of conventional chicken? I had never noticed it until my dad pointed it out to me one day and commented on how the chicken he ate on the farm as a kid never had anything like that in it. So of course I started to pay attention to the “black stuff”, and he was right, any of the bone in chicken we bought had black around the bones. When we began to produce our own grass fed, naturally raised chicken we noticed it was “black stuff” free! I did some research and found out the “black stuff” is coagulated blood. It’s caused by electrocuting the chickens to stun them so they stay still while a robotic blade passes by to slit their throats! Talk about adding insult to injury!
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Chicken Facts Did you know? It takes a chicken 21 days to hatch her eggs. During that time she seldom leaves the nest, only for food and water. Did you know? Chickens are actually omnivores, meaning they eat plants (grasses, leaves, and seeds), and protein (worms, insects, and even mice!) Did you know? Chickens usually lay eggs every other day regardless if there’s a rooster around. But if you want the eggs to hatch, you need a rooster to fertilize them. Did you know? Chickens don’t have teeth. They have a gizzard which is a very strong muscle in their digestive tract that is used to grind up the food they eat. It’s very tasty too!   Favorite Chicken Recipe This recipe is a favorite of ours and the kids. It’s the healthier version of the classic chicken and mushroom soup but with out the high sodium canned soup. A classic comfort flavor on a higher level of class. Delicious, simple, and an easy way to impress guests. I serve this with organic brown rice or pasta, and peas. Chicken with Mushroom, Balsamic Cream Sauce serves 4 (easily doubled or tripled!) 4 chicken breasts salt & pepper 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 cup butter 500 g slice mushrooms (1 large basket) 3 cloves garlic (crushed) 1 shallot or mild onion (thinly sliced) 2 tbsp fresh thyme 2 tbsp flour 1 cup chicken stock 3 tbsp cream 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar Season chicken with salt & pepper, cube, and cook in a large skillet, in olive oil, until no longer pink inside. Remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon into a bowl, set aside. Melt the butter in the same skillet, add mushrooms, garlic, and shallot, cook till all is softened. Add thyme, and flour, make sure the flour is stirred in well and thoroughly cooked. Pour in chicken stock, cream, and balsamic vinegar. Stir until completely mixed. Add your cooked chicken and heat through. Serve over rice or pasta.
Why Grass Fed Poultry is Best! The meat and eggs of grass fed poultry contain high levels of Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, which raises the good cholesterol and lowers the bad. Strictly grain fed poultry (their meat and eggs) has higher levels of Omega 6 EFA, which lowers the good cholesterol and raises the bad. For more information on grass fed meats check out www.eatwild.comhttp://www.eatwild.comshapeimage_5_link_0