Author: Brian Hurlburt

Brian Hurlburt’s FaceBook Profile states he’s an Old Goat & Chicken Chaser at Briden Farm, so who are we to argue! Brian is the “Bri” of Briden Farm.

Rappie Pie And Chicken Soup

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Rappie Pie and Chicken Soup

Two things that make a Winter Day a little warmer, and a Winter Storm more bearable, are Rappie Pie and Chicken Soup! Today we made both!

We were recently given four roosters, and yesterday we processed three of the four! I made a mistake of looking at the beautiful feathers on the their and he’s looking for a new home now! Actually, I think we have found one for him already! 

I know to some processing animals and birds for food may seem rather mean, but the truth is it’s part of survival and it’s part of farm life. Especially on a working farm. 

Certainly the end result of our efforts helps make it a little easier! A life, any life, from the smallest to the greatest should never be taken lightly. Always with Thanks, reverence and respect, for the life taken, and the food provided. The sad fact is there are too many Roosters, and while every would like to keep them around it simply isn’t possible. In nature the males, the protectors often get killed by predators protecting the females, and around the farm when there’s to many Roosters they’ll attack and kill each other! So, in many ways, it’s more humane to process them! We give them the best life possible, for as long as possible, but when it comes time we dispatch them as humanely as possible and they help feed us! 

Most people, who think this is cruel  or inhumane, don’t generally stop to ponder all these things when they pop into their local Grocery, or Deli, to grab a BBQ Chicken on their way home from their 9-5 job! However, on the farm, among farmers and their livestock, it all takes on a far more intimate approach! It’s a symbiotic relationship where we feed them, give them the best life possible, for as long as possible so that they can better feed us!

For us, one of the best ways to make use of these Roosters is to make Rappie Pie And Chicken Soup! 

For The Love of A Chicken

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For the Love of a Chicken

Straight Up… that Title should be For The Love of a Rooster!

Our story starts in East Kemptville, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia and dates from 1982. I was in Grade 11 when My Dad, Victor Hurlburt Sr., decided to incubate some Chicks. Unfortunately on day 13 of the 21 Days of incubation the power went out! Then, on Day 21 the Power Company turned the village power off to do some work! Unfortunately this played havoc with the hatch rates, and only two Chicks, two young Roosters, also known as Cockerels, hatched out! 

Another unfortunate turn of events happened when the two cockerels were just a month or so old, and one of our cows laid on one of the young birds. This left just one, both had sort of imprinted on me, and now alone, the one I called “Chicken George” really attached Himself to me, and I to him! He would jump on my foot, and I’d lift him to my shoulder, and he’d ride around there. He even went as far as to come meet me at the school bus when I’d get home from school! Did I mention I was in Grade 11, and also quite backward, and embarrassed to be greeted each day by a Rooster who thought I was his Mom! Yet, I loved him and kind of secretly thought it was the greatest thing in the world! 

Now, wind the clock, or perhaps move the calendar, ahead to Sept 2020. Over 30 years later, and of course many birds in between, but a new little Chick come into my life! Our lives I should say, and he came with 10 others! Yet, he stood out, especially one day when at just 2-1/2 weeks old (that’s when we got them), he hopped up on my arm when I went to feed and water them! He stood there and looked me in the eye! Then, Denis called him Jack, and I agreed, although I knew in an instant that he reminded me, immediately, of Chicken George The Rooster! 

When Jack jumped up and sat on my arm and looked me in the eye, I knew, and I think he knew too, that He had found his forever home! 

If You’d like to experience what it’s like to Hatch Your Own Eggs, or perhaps raise some Chicks, we may be able to help! Contact us and we’ll help you find some hatching eggs or chicks! We can also help with Hens if you’re so minded to forego the youthful adventures and get cracking sooner! Just give us a call at 902-907-0770.

Hatching Chicks Is A Better Predictor Of Spring Than Groundhogs

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Hatching Mixed Flock Chicks

Today is Groundhog Day, and Shubenacadie Sam and Wiarton Willie predict Canada will have an early Spring while Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of Winter!  

Now, we mean no disrespect to Sam, Willie, or Phil, or any other Groundhog, but here at Briden Farm were taking another approach to determining the beginning of Spring! 

We’re hatching Eggs! We have a mixed flock of Chickens, made up mostly of Lohmanns, Easter Eggers, Sassos (that we call our Brahmas), and Buff Orpingtons. So, today, on Ground Hog Day, we put Hatching Eggs in an incubator and in three Weeks we’ll hopefully have new Baby Chicks!

Now, everyone knows that there’s no better sign of Spring than Baby Chicks! Right? Of course right! So, now we have something to tend, turning the eggs, keeping the hatching temperature and humidity at the right levels, and eagerly waiting as the anticipation builds! Then, when they hatch, about February 23, 2021, we will know that there is no more than three weeks till Spring!

So, while everyone else is waiting to see if Spring comes early, or waiting for six weeks to pass, we’re waiting for Three Weeks! Three Weeks to get Baby Chicks! Then once those Chicks Hatch, there’s no more than three weeks left till Spring! Now that’s why we think Hatching Chicks Is A Better Predictor Of Spring Than Groundhogs! 

 

PS: If You’re looking for Hatching Eggs, or Baby Chicks, please contact us at 902-907-0770