‘Round the Farm
Canadian bacon is my current obsession 😋 (Get Yours Here)
Fin has moved up to the spicy pony 🌶️
Bennett enjoys Finley’s riding lessons in her own way 🐶
Mr. Feyerherd is clearly ready for summer 🩴
Fresh Eggs Coming Soon! Ever Thought About Raising Your Own? (Easier Than You Think)
Exciting news—our layer chickens are ordered, and if all goes to plan, we should have them on the farm by April! 🐣
Of course, with bird flu making its rounds, we’re keeping our fingers crossed, but don’t worry—if things don’t go exactly as planned, we’ll figure something out. We always do.
That said, have you ever thought about raising your own chickens? If you’ve raised a dog or a cat, you can handle a few hens. Food, water, shelter—and they’re good to go. Plus, no housebreaking required! 🏡
Getting Started with Chickens
🐥 Shelter: First, you’ll need a coop or enclosure. This could be:
✔ A fenced-in area with basic protection
✔ A chicken tractor (mobile coop you can move around)
✔ A small structure with a run
✔ If you’re in the right area, letting them roam
There are endless ways to build a coop, and you don’t need to be a carpenter to do it. Just Google “chicken coop” or check YouTube, and you’ll find tons of simple DIY options that fit your space and budget.
🥚 Food & Water: Chickens aren’t picky eaters! You can grab feed from Tractor Supply, Southern States, or your local Ag store.
But here’s the best part—they’re nature’s best recyclers. Save kitchen scraps, and you’ll cut down on waste while turning leftovers into fresh, tasty eggs.
There are plenty of low-maintenance feeder and waterer options, some of which can hold enough for days without you needing to refill them. Check out Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or your local farm supply store—you’ll find plenty of affordable setups.
🏠 Nest Boxes: Chickens need a place to lay eggs. Some coops come with built-in nesting boxes, but if not, you can buy them cheap online or locally. Want a DIY option? Flip a milk crate sideways and add some straw—instant laying box!
Where to Get Chickens
Believe it or not, you can order chickens online (just Google chick hatchery), and they’ll be shipped right to your local post office. You’ll get a call when your one-to-two-day-old chicks arrive.
These little fluffballs need a heat source for the first few weeks, but after that, they’re easy to care for. Search for “brooding chicks” for more on taking care of baby chicks.
You can also find chicks at Tractor Supply, or check local backyard breeders—a quick Google search should turn up a few options near you.
Prefer to skip the baby stage? Look for pullets (young hens) on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Pullets are ready to lay eggs right away, making them the best option for beginners.
Egg Prices Are Up—Why Not Raise Your Own?
Of course, this is not for everyone, and if you are trying it for the first time, there will be setbacks, but I really do think almost anyone can raise a few hens.
With the cost of eggs climbing and the shortcuts big commercial operations take, there’s never been a better time to raise your own chickens. You’ll get fresh, high-quality eggs, and if you have extras, you can:
✔ Sell a few to coworkers to cover your feed costs
✔ Share with family or neighbors (they’ll love you for it)
✔ Use them as nutritious pet food
Most chickens lay eggs for 3 to 6 years, and there are all kinds of breeds to choose from. Some lay brown eggs, some blue, some more than others.
And while a rooster crowing at sunrise sounds great to me, they’re usually not allowed in residential areas, so you might want to hold off on getting one at first.
Whether you raise your own or buy from us, fresh eggs are worth it. If you decide to start your own backyard flock, feel free to reach out with any questions.
If not, we hope to be supplying you with eggs soon! 🥚🐔
Thanks for following us and allowing us to serve you. If you have questions, give us a shout! Have a wonderful week and warm wishes!
With our appreciation,
Jason, Lexi, & Family
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How To Get That Pastured Goodness!
Want to pick some Longbottom Farm beef, pork, poultry, eggs, and coffee as well as other locally produced goodies. These are the places to do it.
Charlottesville City Market – (April 6th – Dec 14th) Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. A great way to stock up on some local food and treats while enjoying some fresh air. Thanks to all those that have come out to support local farms and artisans in our area. Hope to see you there!
Farm Pick-Up – Order online and pick up your order at our newly constructed barn. Place your order online, then once you receive the “Your Order is Ready for Pick-up” email (24 – 72 hours), pick-up anytime between 8am – 8pm SEVEN DAYS A WEEK! Your Order will be placed in our outdoor freezers / fridge for pick-up at your convenience and labeled with your name. Easy-peasy!
Locally Delivery – If you are within 30 minutes of our farm (availability is determined by zip code at checkout), we offer home delivery to the Scottsville / Charlottesville areas. We deliver every Friday for orders over $50 ($6 delivery charge) and FREE DELIVERY for orders over $99. Simply Order online and we’ll take care of the rest!
Longbottom Farm Online Store
