1.  About Yellow House Farm School

           2.  How do I register for a class?

           3. Homesteading Heritage Poultry

About Yellow House Farm School

        In 2009 we launched Yellow House Farm School, and it has been a resounding success.  As we look forward to the 2010 season, we are excited to offer once again these seminars in traditional poultry husbandry. 

       We have come to realize that some things serve us better when we do them ourselves.  They are more creative and fulfilling.  We feel more connected and centered.  Food is easily among this rank of noble pursuits.  Indeed, little is as satisfying as a wonderful meal that comes primarily from your own backyard.  Further, it may be that there is also nothing quite so balanced and healthy as homegrown food.  By eating those things that sustain themselves from the piece of Earth where we live and make our life, we foster a vital connection between our physical selves and the outer world we inhabit.  There is no pill or quick fix that can rival this primal connection.  The end products are health and joy.

       Nonetheless, there is the great difficulty that many of us have strayed far from the roots which would have taught us the necessary skills to live in a more Earth-centered way.  The farms that were once the centrifugal force of hundreds, even thousands, of years of human life have become so rare that they are just shy of being the stuff of legend.  The end result is that we often no longer know how to be close to Mother Earth, how to live on our soil and derive life from it.  Ultimately, the only remedy for this kind of cultural forgetfulness is re-education.  We must relearn what we have forgotten.

       To that end and for the success of our emerging culture of doers for positive change, Yellow House Farm offers these poultry husbandry seminars to help friends and neighbors rediscover the basic skills of the homestead.  In so doing, those desirous of returning to a more Earth-rooted and bio-secure life will be well equipped for the adventure that is homesteading.  Together we shall learn that a little good old-fashioned dirt rarely does any harm, and the stuff of bucolic landscapes full of rich textures and flavors can actually be your own backyard.   

How do I register for a class?

TO REGISTER: Send pertinent contact information, including, address, telephone number, and e-mail address, as well as a check made out to Yellow House Farm, to Yellow House Farm, 541 route 202, Barrington, NH 03825.

REFUNDS AND CANCELLATION:  Registrations may be canelled up to one week before the scheduled seminar for a 100% refund.  Thereafter, no refund will be possible.

RETURNED CHECKS:  Any returned registration checks will be assessed a $20.00 courtesy fee.

Homesteading Heritage Poultry

           The Yellow House Farm seminar Homesteading Heritage Poultry is designed to give you a complete introduction to the various aspects of stewarding poultry for the homestead.  The class is divided into four sections, each designed to provide a thorough base in the targeted subject matter.  The term "poultry" refers to chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and guinea fowl.  Homesteading Heritage Poultry focuses specifically on the needs of heritage chickens, although much of what is discussed is pertinent to the farming of other sorts of fowl.  It is not geared to matters concerning the production of factory layers and broilers.  Our goal is to present the best of traditional methodologies in the light of modern poultry science to build an understanding of the kinds of practices that lead to envigorating and environmentally friendly farming, based in respectful stewardship.  A full description of the seminar is given below.

           Classes are held at Yellow House Farm.  Spring 2010 seminars are one-day intensives held on Saturdays from 9:00am-4:00pm.  The Homesteading Heritage Poultry seminar is scheduled to run bi-weekly for a total of seven times beginning on Saturday, March 6th until Saturday, May, 15th.  The cost of the Homesteading Heritage Poultry seminar is $45.00/individual and $75.00/couple.  Please pre-register for the series following our general guidelines for course registration.  Reimbursement for cancellation s available up until one week before the booked seminar.  Thereafter no reimbursement is possible.

Dates for Homesteading Heritage Poultry: 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17, 5/1, 5/15.  We recommend early registration as seminars are limited to 10 participants.

An overview for Homesteading Heritage Poultry is as follows:

I. Introduction to Heritage Poultry

II. Starting Stock Right

III. Laying and Breeding Flock Management

IV. Health, Predation, and Local Marketing

Introduction to Heritage Poultry

We will discuss the origins of domestic poultry and the history of poultry farming.  We will explore the differences between heritage poultry and factory poultry product.  We will consider the many products and uses heritage poultry provide to the homestead.  We will discuss the value of meaningful stewardship and how to best procure quality stock.

Starting Stock Right

This is designed to provide the homesteading poulterer with all the information necessary to be prepared for the arrival of chicks, ducklings, goslings, poults, and keets.  We will discuss what is needful to insure a healthy start and successful rearing.  Matters of concern will include: set-up and equipment, floor space, feed, and heat requirements.  We will discuss raising various types of poultry together, as well as those concerns that may arise during the first weeks and months of life.  We will also discuss criteria for selection and modes of culling.  Although this session will not deal with the minutiae of slaughtering, we shall discuss what a homestead slaughtering schedule will look like and how to best prepare stock for slaughter.

Laying and Breeding Flock Management

We shall consider the many aspects of procuring powerful production, as well as breeding methodologies that will insure that production through subsequent generations.  We will consider, housing, feed, lighting, and floor space.  We will discuss various production models and their advantages from confinement to total free-range.  We will talk about improving laying strains and traditonal modes of developing strong laying flocks.  Rolling mating as well as line breeding will be thoroughly explored.  We will discuss breeder selection, with particular emphasis on breeding for farming utility.  We will learn about the differences between artificial incubation and natural incubation and discuss the pro's and con's of both systems.  

Health, Predation, and Local Marketing

The final focus area in the Homesteading Heritage Poultry seminar will deal with the various glitches that can occur in any backyard flock, as well as modes of offering your homesteading products to your local community.  We will discuss ways of developing a healthy flock and how to keep your flock healthy, as well as how to best respond to health concerns should they arise.  We will learn about local predators, and how best to insure the safety of your flocks.  Lastly, we will discuss marketing your products to the community, how to understand market regulations, and how best to insure food safety.   

                 The rise of factory farming almost caused their extinction, but, thanks to a few dedicated breeders, they were saved.  It is our pleasure to make them available once more for your New England Thanksgiving feast.

                  Yellow House Farm Narragansett turkeys are hatched on site.  Nature gives about 50% males and 50% females.  Males dress out at approximately 15-16lbs., females at 8-9lbs.  When ordering your turkey, please be sure to specify whether you prefer a male or a female. 

                  To order your 2010 Thanksgiving Narragansett turkey, kindly cut and paste the form below.  Your deposit is subtracted from the final total of your purchase.  Pick-up will be at the farm or at our friends Mimi and Steve in Rye.  Let us know your preferred pick-up location. Please be sure to include your contact information. 

                 Please note that we raise a limited number turkeys.  Reservations are filled on a first come, first served basis.

                 Thank you for supporting our rare heritage breeds!   

Yellow House Farm

541 Route 202

Barrington, NH  03825

(603) 335-6131   www.yellowhousefarmnh.com

2010     Preorder Form

 Name: __________________________________________________

 Address: ________________________________________________

 Phone: __________________________________________________

 e-mail: ________________________________________

Turkey: $6.99 lb. 

Amount of total deposit: ______________________________

ORDER YOUR SPRING 2010 HATCHLINGS NOW!

2010 offerings

Ordering information

2010 Offerings 

We are currently accepting orders for Ancona chicks, White and mixed-color Dorking chicks, Cayuga ducklings, Narragansett turkeys, and started black Muscovies. 

Ancona This is an old Italian breed, being indigenous to the central Italian region: Umbria, Lazio, and Le Marche.  It is a small, efficient layer, eating little while producing many eggs.  It is the premier layer at Yellow House Farm.

Although the cockerels are not truly suited to being roasted, due to their smaller size, this is the type of heritage fowl used for traditional fryers.  When bred, extra cockerels of this breed are slaughtered at fourteen to sixteen weeks of age.  If raised until eighteen to twenty weeks of age, they make good fricassee fowl. 

Anconas are recognized for early maturity, and pullets often begin laying white eggs at as early as 4 1/2 months.  They are persistent layers, laying right through our cold New England winters without pause.   

We keep both rose-combed and single-combed birds together, although most are rose-combed birds.  We have combined a show-bred line of RC's with a production-bred line of SC's with goal of developing a production-bred line of RC's which are more suited to our northern clime.  Although with hens it is less important, we strongly recommend selecting only rose-combed cockerels for breeding stock, as they are much less likely to suffer extreme frostbite.  Single-comed cockerels will not do well over the coarse of the NH winter without a source of artificial heat. 

An added benefit to the Ancona is its elegance and beauty.  Black plumage is mottled in lovely white.  Anconas are extremely active foragers and, although they stand confinement quite well, will range far in search of food if given the opportunity.  Due to their plumage coloring and alertness, Anconas are more recommended for free-range operations if predators are a concern.  Larger fowl prove easier prey.  This ability to avoid predation to a greater extent than larger, more lathargic fowl, is rooted in their personality, which is cheery, yet wary of danger.  When tending Anconas, it is best not to frighten them with hurried actions lest they grow to identify your with danger.  Calm gestures and a treat from time to time are a recipe for success.  

If you are looking for an excellent layer, Anconas are for you. 

White Dorking The White Dorking needs no better resume than their more than 2000 years of service on the homestead.  This is an ancient breed dating back to the Roman Empire.  Indeed, it is generally accepted that these were the first chickens brought by English settlers to the New World.  

Dorkings are a dual purpose fowl for meat and egg production. They are exquisite table fare, which has been their crowning glory for hundreds of years.  In 2009 the Ayreshire Farm-ALBC taste-test of various heritage and industrial fowl reaffirmed their position of superiority once again.  The White Dorking is the premier roasting fowl offered by Yellow House Farm. 

Hens will brood, having some of the best mothering skills in the chicken world.  When a hen is broody, however, she does not lay.  Dorkings like to spend the summer months mothering, and egg-production may consequently fall off, resuming in the fall after her molt.  Therefore, if year round egg-production is the goal, Anconas should be given precedence to Dorkings. 

Dorkings tend to be quite gentle and low key. They are exceptional foragers, although more vulnerable to predators than Anconas due to their white feathering and superior size.  White Dorkings are extremely rare.

Due to our own hatching needs, Dorkings will be available in limited supply in 2010.  Please be willing to be flexible with regards to pick-up dates when ordering Dorkings.

Cayuga Ducks

Cayuga ducks are beautiful solid-colored ducks.  We run black, blue, and silver cayugas, and ducklings will be a mix of colors.  As cayugas age, their dark feather turn white just as people's do.  Our black cayugas are prize winning.

Cayugas eggs are large and delicious.  They range in color from white to creamy olive drab to black.  The meat is richly flavored.  Unlike many breeds of domestic ducks, female cayugas are great mom's.

Cayuga ducks are the only traditional breed of duck originating in the United States.  The first documentation is  1809 in the Cayugas Lake District of New York State.

Black Muscovy Ducks

Muscovies are a supreme meat duck.  They are very well muscled, lean, and flavorful.  Muscovies are ideal for the homestead.  They are excellent foragers, excellent and prolific mothers (often raising multiple clutches), free from disease, and full of personality,

Our stock comes from two prize-winning strains and is rather beautiful--in that way that only a muscovy can be beautiful. 

Long-lived and productive, muscovies will be a great addition to your farm or homestead.

Narragansett Turkeys

Narragansetts are the original New England turkey.  They are strikingly beautiful and quite docile.  Narragansetts, unlike industrial turkeys, are capable of natural reproduction, and Narragansett hens make excellent mothers.

Heritage turkey meat is most flavorful--aromatic and multi-dimensional.  It is certainly a step up from the ever blander industrial ersatz.

Narragansett turkeys, like all heritgae breed turkeys, are excellent foragers, and will scrounge much of their own food if allowed to roam.

Ordering Information 

1) Eggs are set to order. All stock is sold straight run, an approximately 50/50 mix of pullets and cockerels. Breeds cannot be mixed.  If both Anconas and Dorkings are desired, one must purchase a minimum of 12 of each.  When space is limited, 12 is a good place to begin.  However, most homesteads will find that a minimum of 25 chicks is needed.  50 chicks is a common hatching goal when sufficient hatchlings are desired to provide both layers and meat-birds for the freezer.  In 2010, only Anconas are offered in lots of 50.   

2) Pricing:

Anconas: 12/$48.00, 25/$75.00, 50/$125.00

Dorkings (: 12/$72.00, 25/$125.00

Cayugas: 12/$72.00, 25/$125.00, 50/$200.00

Narragansetts: 6/$48.00, 12/$84.00, 25/$150.00

Muscovies are sold as started ducklings between 6 and 8 weeks of age.   They are $15.00 each and will be available by mid-summer. 

3) The following order/pick up dates are available for chicks.  An order must be received by the order date in order to be included in the requested hatch.  Ducklings and Turkey poult orders are scheduled in the order of receipt.  Customers will receive a postcard with the anticipated pick-up date.

HATCH #1: Anconas only.  Order due date--3/10/2010; order pick up date--4/10/2010

HATCH #2: Anconas only.  Order due date--3/24/2010; order pick up date--4/24/2010

HATCH #3: Anconas and Dorkings. Order due date--4/7/2010; order pick up date--5/8/2010

HATCH #4: Anconas and Dorkings.  Order due date--4/21/2010; order pick up date--5/22/2010

HATCH #5: Anconas and Dorkings.  Order due date--5/5/2010; order pick up date--6/5/2010

HATCH #6: Anconas and Dorkings.  Order due date--5/19/2010; order pick up date--6/19/2010

HATCH #7: Anconas and Dorkings.  Order due date--6/2/2010; order pick up date--7/3/2010

HATCH #8: Anconas and Dorkings.  Order due date--6/16/2010; order pick up date--7/17/2010

4) To order, send check or money order to: Yellow House Farm, 541 route 202, Barrington, NH, 03825.  Be sure to include any appropriate contact information, the number of chicks desired (6, 12, 25, 50), and desired pick up date. 

5) Orders are not considered booked until full payment is received.  An e-mail or phone call of inquiry does not constitute an order. 

6) Orders are non-refundable.

7) Only a certain number of eggs will be able to be set for any of the five available hatch dates (see above).  So, please order early if you are hoping for a certain date.

8) Stock is picked up at the farm on the assigned pick-up date (see above).  Orders that are not picked up on the assigned date will accrue a $5.00 babysitting fee per day.  Any stock not picked up within one week of hatch will be forfeit.   

9) Unfortunately, we shan't be shipping stock for the 2010 season.

10) We specialize in rare heritage breeds that are excellent for homesteading.  In our breeding programs, we breed to the Standard, emphasizing production qualities first and more superficial show qualities second. 

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