From Brooder to Pasture: How We Raise Chickens at Farm2Fork

From Brooder to Pasture

You hear them before you see them.

A low, steady hum as 1,500 chicks settle into their new surroundings in the farm’s heated brooders. Open the door, and you’re greeted with the unmistakable sound of hundreds of day-old chicks, a chorus of high-pitched cheeping.

It’s April on the farm, and our first batch of chicks for the season has arrived. It’s one of the clearest signs that spring has properly begun, and with it, the start of a new farming season.

At Farm2Fork, this is just the beginning. These chicks are the first of five carefully staggered batches, arriving every four weeks through the warmer months. It’s a system designed to give each group the time, space, and attention they need, while working in step with the natural growing season.

Why We Only Raise Chickens Seasonally

Unlike intensive systems that produce chicken year-round, we only raise our birds from spring through to early autumn.

Quite simply, it’s because that’s when conditions are right. Chickens thrive in warmer weather, on growing pasture, with long daylight hours and dry ground underfoot. Raising them seasonally allows them to spend the majority of their lives outdoors, rather than being confined during colder, wetter months.

It also fits the natural rhythm of the farm. Grass is growing, soils are active, and the system can properly support the birds. By working with the seasons rather than against them, we focus on quality over quantity, and welfare over speed.

The Brooder Stage, Building Strong Foundations

When the chicks first arrive, they are placed into heated brooders, a warm, sheltered environment that protects them during their most vulnerable stage of life.

At this point, they are unable to regulate their own body temperature, so maintaining consistent warmth is essential. Alongside this, they are provided with dry bedding, constant access to fresh water, and high-quality organic feed.

This stage is closely monitored, as early development plays a key role in long-term health. Getting this right ensures the birds are strong enough to transition naturally to life outdoors.

Out to Pasture, Where Chickens Thrive

At around three weeks of age, once they are fully feathered and ready, the birds are moved out onto pasture.

This is where the real difference begins.

Our chickens are kept within portable electric netting enclosures, typically around 1 hectare in size, with 24-hour access to open-fronted mobile shelters. This gives them the freedom to move between shelter and pasture at all times, with protection from the elements while still enjoying fresh air and space.

Each day, the flock is moved onto fresh grass. This gives them a clean area to forage, reduces disease pressure, and encourages natural behaviours. You’ll see them spreading out, scratching, pecking, and exploring, doing exactly what chickens are meant to do.

These daily moves also benefit the land, with manure spread evenly to help build soil fertility as part of a wider regenerative system.

From this point on, their lives are shaped by the pasture itself. Fresh air, varied forage, and constant movement all contribute to stronger, healthier birds.

Our chickens are slow-grown and reach maturity at around 10 weeks of age, giving them time to develop properly, both in terms of welfare and meat quality.

Protected by Maremma Guardian Dogs

Raising chickens outdoors brings its challenges, particularly from predators.

To manage this, we work with our Maremma livestock guardian dogs. They live alongside the flock and provide a calm, constant presence. Rather than chasing or disturbing the birds, they deter predators simply by being there.

It’s a low-stress form of protection that allows the chickens to remain relaxed while still being safe, an essential balance in a pasture-based system.

A Slower, More Natural System

From brooder to pasture, every stage is designed to give the birds what they need, at the right time.

It’s a slower, more seasonal way of farming, one that works with the land rather than pushing against it. By giving the chickens space, fresh pasture, and time to grow, we produce food that reflects that care.

For us, it’s simple. How food is raised matters, and it always shows in the end result.