Thursday, September 3, 2009

So - What's a Chicken Run, You Ask?

These are the Pasture Poultry Chickens
In their portable pens
And the crates are in the background on the quad

This is the back of the truck loaded withBoxed Meat
That I pick up at a processor's place in Nampa, Idaho
The processor takes care of our lamb and beef

More Boxed Meat
Each week I pack 'last week's' chicken's (processed)
into boxes, load them into the truck,
then take them to storage.


And, These are my Assistants
Each Tuesday, July through September 15th
We have had Chicken Run Tuesdays
At least one lucky kid get's to come with me,
and at the end of our trip we get our Root Beer Floats
Last week was the last trip for these guys!


For those of you that have been scratching your heads.. I thought I would share with all of you what a chicken run is!

On Tuesdays, Dick and I get up at the crack of dawn. He eats. I get ready to 'go' on the said Chicken Run. I load boxes, tape, clipboard, coffee, check to pay the processor, a change of boots, and one child.

We go out in the field.

We load 40-50 chickens in crates.

Put them in the back of the truck or trailer.

And then, about 5:45 am, I take them on a scenic drive through the Baker Valley, then off to New Plymouth Idaho, where they are then 'processed'. The drive is 1.5 hours - one way.

After they are dropped off, I get to clean the back of the truck.

Then pack last week's frozen processed chickens.

Then drive to another place - 1 hour farther, to store our meat.

Sometimes I have 'double duty' and get to take lambs, and/or beef, and also deal with those boxes!


So, there you have it!
My last run was this week.. I am starting to teach classes on Tuesdays, and now that irrigation season has slowed, Mr. Sexton gets to do the runs!

Hallelujah.

9 comments:

booshy said...

I know that happens. And I eat chicken.

But I don't think I could do it. Send the little cluckers to their death. No...definitely could not do it.

*karendianne. said...

Pasture Poultry! That sounds so healthy. I've never thought of all the work it takes to do the "Run."

It'll be nice to transition this over. What are you teaching on Tuesday?

Suzanne C said...

Wow! The amount of work you do in a week always amazes me. The kids are trooper too... I too don't want to think about the chickens making the transition. Keep us posted on your classes and the projects!

Karen said...

Andi, you always amaze me with all you do! You are one busy Mama! Hope you can find a little time for all the good stuff that keeps your engine running!! :>

Louise (KardKrazy) said...

A-Mazing!

Tami B. said...

I love that the chicken run involves rootbeer floats. You are a master at combining chores with fun treats. I love how you do it all with such style and grace. Beautiful post and helps all of us folks who buy our chickens at the store appreciate what it takes to get them there. I'm sure your chickens taste so much better, though.

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

You are such a hard worker!

an east coast (soon to be western) family said...

Andi: Thanks for sharing the "run." I just love reading your posts...helps me keep life (and my stresess) in perspective! And it makes me realize the importance of buying from local ranchers now that we're in a place where it is easy to do so! Also love hearing about the "assistants" and how they always seem to be smiling, which I think says a lot about their mama!

Anonymous said...

I just happened to be leaving Baker City WEdnesday and saw the FM. I stopped in and bought some corn. Was the wrong week to catch you all...

So, you have a Chicken Ranch..Might be lucrative in Baker County

;-}

Mr Tammy

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