Unique event with Collins Cluckery set for April 2
By Barb Pert Templeton
If you’ve always been interested in the joys of raising and utilizing chickens where you live join local poultry farmer Jennifer Collins for a special program on the subject at the Memphis Library.
Collins, from the Collins Cluckery, in Riley Township will present ‘Getting Started with Chickens’ at the Memphis Library on Thursday, April 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The program is for adults only.
To find out more about the chicken program planned, Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Collins via email to pose some questions on the subject.
Blue Water Healthy Living: How long have you been operating Collins Cluckery?
Jennifer Collins, owner Collins Cluckery: The Collins Cluckery is a first-generation pastured-poultry farm located “at the base of The Thumb,” in Riley Township, Michigan. Our mission is to be good stewards of what God has given us. “A righteous man considereth the life of his beast,” said Solomon, and we take that seriously.
BWHL: What does that entail?
Collins: We provide good, clean pastured chicken for folks who are looking for something they just can’t get at the grocery store. Those who are taking responsibility for their own health, and who are looking for a farmer they can trust at a farm they can visit. No antibiotics, no medicated feed, and no chlorine baths. Just good, clean chicken.
Tips on how Collins Cluckery raises, feeds and supports their chickens will be shared during a special program at the Memphis Public Library.
BWHL: What is the method for creating “clean chickens” at the Cluckery?
Collins: The land gets just enough “fertilizer” (manure) to improve it; while the chickens get a fresh salad bar (think grass, plantain, self-heal, dandelion, and clover) every day. What this means for you is that your chicken is clean. A fresh salad bar every day means healthy chickens. It means we don’t need dewormers, antibiotics, or medicated feed.
BWHL: So, all the chickens are fed is grass?
Collins: Not quite. Of course, chickens are omnivores, and they need much more than grass. While we are not a certified organic farm, we feed them locally-raised, non-GMO, certified organic feed. It’s great stuff and supports the local community. And these chickens move. I always say they aren’t couch potato chickens. Our customers say they can feel the difference…”the texture is firm…just like Grandma used to make.”
Jennifer Collins, with Collins Cluckery, in Riley Township.
BWHL: What exactly does “Farm Fresh Pastured Poultry” mean?
Collins: Here at The Cluckery, “pastured” means the chickens spend most of their lives on grass. It means they live in portable shelters and move to fresh pasture every single day from spring to fall. The portable shelters protect the chickens from predators (since everything likes a good chicken dinner!), while allowing us to “direct” the chickens’ activity.
BWHL: Is raising chickens a year-round commitment?
Collins: Cluckery chickens are raised with the seasons, because no chicken will do well on pasture during the winter. So, our customers stock up from spring to fall.
BWHL: Are Cluckery chickens available at local stores?
“We provide good, clean pastured chicken for folks who are looking for a farmer they can trust at a farm they can visit. No antibiotics, no medicated feed, and no chlorine baths. Just good, clean chicken.”
Jennifer Collins, Collins Cluckery
Collins: Chickens are not available in retail stores; we’re a small family farm, and folks pick up their chickens right here on farm. We’ve also got a drop-site in Utica. Chickens can be ordered (or reserved, if we’re waiting for our next batch) on our website or by texting me at 810-384-8177.
BWHL: Can you share a bit about your upcoming library program?
Collins: My library program is about getting started with chickens. The person who will attend this class is interested in starting a backyard flock of egg layers but isn’t too sure where to begin! He or she is concerned about how to manage illness and injury, when they can expect eggs, and how to keep their chickens comfortable in the winter.
BWHL: How about your website, how does that work?
Collins: I launched that last year, as I started moving beyond just selling to friends and family. Now that we’re growing, the website is a great way to showcase what we do and to let folks conveniently place orders. It gives me a place to answer questions like, “Do they eat feed?” and “What do you do with a whole chicken?”
BWHL: Anything else offered at the Cluckery that you’d like to mention?
Collins: The Cluckery offers on-farm, in-person Traditional Skills classes, too. Think sourdough bread, canning, making butter and yogurt (no raw milk required!), and fermenting veggies for gut health. When people find out you do these things, they have so many questions, so after years of teaching bits and pieces, I’ve started developing workshops as part of what The Cluckery offers.
BWHL: How about this presentation you’re doing now at the library, is that new?
Collins: Yes, taking it on the road is new, and I’m loving it. I would be so happy to appear at other local libraries and community centers. I can be reached via e-mail at Jennifer@TheCollinsCluckery.com or by phone call or text at 810-384-8177.
To learn more visit Collins Cluckery online at collinscluckery.com.
Memphis Public Library is located at 34830 Potter Street in Memphis, MI.
