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Normal is the norm on Old Time Farm ... our old-fashioned chickens run around and act like chickens, our old-fashioned cattle naturally fatten on grass, and our old-fashioned turkeys reproduce on farm without assistance! We do not push any of our critters for fast production or quantity but rather focus on quality - quality of life, quality finished product and quality breeding stock for the next generation.
Old Time Farm grows artisanal, true "Slow Food" ... Commercial agriculture of today is focused on maximum production with minimum inputs in the shortest time period or quantity instead of quality. We focus on "Old Time" heritage breeds that can take twice as long to be ready for the table and will eat more feed than commercial genetics but the trade off is superior animal welfare along with enhanced flavor and nutrient density. The American Milking Devon Cattle, Partridge Chantecler Chickens and Standard Bronze Turkeys we breed and raise are listed on the Slow Foods "Ark of Taste" - they are true “Slow Foods” with the delicious flavor, nutrient density and texture that comes with slow growth!
Reproducing livestock and poultry on farm is key for regional sustainability for our food shed but not every animal born or hatched on our farm ends up on a table ... like the farms of yesteryear, Old Time Farm sells quality breeding stock, layers, hatching eggs and chicks (aka live animals) for the homestead/farmstead as well as 100% grass-fed beef and pasture-raised heritage chicken, turkey & eggs for your table.
Preservation of biodiversity for the future is important. Old Time Farm selectively breeds for production characteristics as well as for structural integrity and breed standard - not just to increase numbers of the rare breeds we steward. Our next generation is carefully chosen to be beneficial to the breeds they represent and the remainder find a place on your table. Every purchase of beef, chicken, turkey or eggs for the table helps our conservation efforts for these rare breeds, helps to bring them back to the quality of yesteryear, and helps bring the classic flavors and textures of these amazing "slow foods" to your plate and palate. We use no growth hormones and no antibiotics are regularly given to our animals to promote growth but we will not withhold medical care when medically/ethically necessary.Our old-fashioned cattle are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished in rotationally grazed pastures with water, salt, minerals and shade/shelter available at all times (no intensive grazing without shade). The cattle are fed hay in winter to supplement pastures and the hay is scattered on the pastures to increase organic matter of the soil. Our old-fashioned poultry free-range on pasture (no small "Salatin" pastured poultry pens here!) and are supplemented with a nutrient dense, custom breeder ration made right on our farm with local non-GMO grains. Humane treatment and appropriate nutrition is a critical part of the stewardship commitment we made to our livestock and poultry.
No herbicides and no Pesticides are used on our fields. We farm using holistic, regenerative & natural methods but use science to tell us how to nourish the soil to nourish the plants to nourish the animals that nourish the next generation and nourish us!
We primarily serve the Pittsburgh and north region of Western PA. If you have a question on how we do something or are looking for a product raised a certain way, please ask. If we are not able to accommodate your needs or preferences, we may be able to refer you to someone who can.