Applegate Acres Farm

07/13/2022

Still have these little guys looking for new addresses. Barred rock game bantams and seramas.

04/22/2022

I love reclaimed and recycled! The metal for walls was used! The first coop was a learning experience. My husband came up with the idea to use and old door instead of windows. That worked out well. The second coop still needs a permanent run. More improvement on the last one (with 2 more identical to come, and pens are ready) Styrofoam came from a friend. I thought it would be nice to have the top (hardware cloth) of the door with split so the metal could be taken off the top during the summer months. Still need to redo the other coop doors so they also are split as well. There's such a learning curve with coops! They may not be pretty but we haven't spent a fortune. Maybe one day when I have time 🤣 I will paint them all! Even though the chickens are my thing, I have to give a big shout to my husband for building coops and fence!

04/18/2022

Oh my . . .
Not enough brooders, gotta get creative. I knew I would use the bottom of an old dog house and part of a broken dog crate for something 🤷‍♀️ Whatever works, right?!?!

03/30/2022

My broody cochin hen hatched these sweet serama babies 🥰
After taking the chicks she kicked another broody hen off of her clutch. When I went to do chores this morning, they're both in the nesting box. She is one determined girl!

03/23/2022

Newly hatched, ready to go in 2 days and more hatching on the 30th.

03/22/2022

02/28/2022

Just another helpful tip. Put Glad, Press'n Seal on top of brooder plates for easy clean up! Silly chicks are supposed to be under the heater, not on top, lol

02/28/2022

Oh be still my heart . . . .
I'm so in love with these little cuties!
Side note: cut coffee cans to sit waters and feeders on, definitely helps keep shavings out. I put shelf liner on top of the can to keep waterer and feeder from sliding around.

02/22/2022

Swedish Flower's are such an amazing breed. Love all the beautiful colors and their dolice personality. Although I'm pretty sure a few of the newly hatched chicks were giving me the sink eye during our little photo shoot, haha.

02/21/2022

I love hatch day! It doesn't seem to matter how many chicks I have hatched, the excitement is always there. Hatching and raising chicks is so much cheaper than therapy 😂

02/07/2022

This never get old!

02/05/2022

Just a few of my pretty ladies out in the snow. I love my Swedish Flower Hens!

01/21/2022

I couldn't wait any longer!
Decided to drag out one incubater and start the season slow. Wonder how long it will be before my chick room is full in incubaters and chicks?!?
I would like to encourage those who have done business with me in passed years, to leave a review on our page. I have met so many wonderful people in the chicken world! Thank you and have a blessed day.

01/02/2022

Mud everywhere, ugh!
The ladies are still busy though.
Getting ready for the dropping temperatures heading our way, extra bedding for everyone. Never a dull moment.

01/01/2022

Wishing everyone a blessed New Year. May God grant you health, happiness and good fortune!

12/23/2021

Merry Christmas from our flock to yours!

10/06/2021

Looking forward spring hatching with these beautiful Swedish Flower roosters as my main guys!

09/02/2021

4 pair up for discussion. Ladies should start laying anytime. As always PLEASE PM for more info.
Located between Salem and Henryville IN.

08/05/2021

A CONVERSATION ABOUT PERCEIVED VALUE:

A customer asked me how much it would cost for a pasture raised chicken.

I gave them a price of $4/ lb.

The customer responded: That’s seems really high.

I asked: What do you think is a reasonable price for this?

The customer answered: $2 maximum

I responded: Ok, then I invite you to grow it yourself.

The customer answered: I don't know how to.

I responded: Alright, then how about for $2 /lb, I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $2 / lb, you'll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future.

The customer answered: Sounds good! Let’s do it!

I responded: Great! To get started, you are going to need some things. You will need a day old broiler chicken, 12 lb. of quality feed, feeders, waterers, an area inside to raise this bird for the first 3 weeks, electricity for this indoor area, a quality pasture area for this bird to live on for its remaining 4 weeks, an outdoor shelter, countless gallons of water, electric poultry fencing to protect this bird, etc. Not to mention, there is a very real possibility that your single chicken, doesnt survive the 8 weeks it takes to grow. Injury, illness, and unexpected weather conditions are always present. Now, you are back to square 1.

The customer answered: But I don't have any of those things and I can't justify buying all of these for one chicken.

I responded: Ok. Well then for an additional $1.50 / lb, I can rent my supplies, building, and pasture to you to use to grow this little chick.

The customer answered: Okay. That’s fair.

I responded: Great! We will start the project on Monday.

The customer answered: I work Monday through Friday. I’m only available on the weekends.

I responded: If you want to learn from me then you will need to work when I work. This project will take 8 weeks, so you will need to be here at least an hour every day for the next 56 days.

The customer answered: That means I’m going to have to sacrifice my time for 56 days.

I responded: That’s true. Remember, when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors.

The customer answered: What do you mean by that?

I responded: Raising a chicken completely from start to finish includes time spent to plan the project, pick up materials, travel time, gas, set up time, clean up, and waste disposal amongst other things. That’s all in addition to the actual project itself. And speaking of materials, that’s where we will start on Monday so I need you to meet me at the feed at 6:00am.

The customer answered: At 6am?!! My work day doesn’t usually start until 8am!

I responded: Well then you’re in luck! The Chick shipment will arrive at 8am. We'll start then, but to do so we have to start at 6am to get materials picked up, loaded and delivered to the farm. Then I need you back here after you've worked all day to move your bird to fresh pasture every day. Saturday and Sunday included. No days off here.

The customer answered: You know, I’m realizing that a lot more goes in to quality food than what a customer sees in the finished project. Your proposal of $4 / pound is very reasonable. I would like you to grow my chicken.

CONCLUSION:

When you pay for a job, especially a custom job, (whether it’s a physical project or digital project or GROWING AND RAISING FOOD) you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed. You also pay for:

✔️ Knowledge
✔️ Experience
✔️ Custom Skills
✔️ Tools
✔️ Time to plan
✔️ Time to prepare
✔️ Professionalism
✔️ Work Ethic
✔️ Excellence
✔️ Discipline
✔️ Commitment
✔️ Integrity
✔️ Taxes
✔️ Licenses
✔️ Sacrifices
✔️ Liabilities
✔️ Insurance

If you desire fresh, healthy, locally grown food, please don’t disrespect a farmer by trying to get them to lower their prices.

If their proposal exceeds your budget, there’s nothing wrong with going elsewhere.

Just remember.. you get what you pay for.

👉🏼 FARMERS: Know your worth and be confident in it.

👉🏼 CONSUMERS: Recognize their worth and be respectful of it.

Sharing this to support all my friends, family and clients who are Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Tradesman.
-Unknown

08/03/2021

This little feller loves taking care of the chickens!

07/30/2021

I'm so excited to hatch some chicks from this beautiful boy!

07/27/2021

These little cuties are looking for a new address! Blue splash cochin bantams. One pair available and a couple little cockerels.

07/15/2021

Still waiting on ripe tomatoes 🙄 After some research, I discovered my squash should be picked when they're 4" to 8" Oops, I'm sure the chickens won't mind if they're a little larger 😂 Please ignore my beat up legs!

07/12/2021

Mercy, I never thought I would be complaining about so much rain in the middle of July. I've gotten soaked twice today! My poor little garden has water standing and my chickens never know what to expect in our little rain forest. On the other hand, I'm happy for the farmers! They should have exceptional crops this year.