Interest in locally raised poultry had folks "flocking" to Brodhecker Farm's Poultry Workshop

In response to the increased inquiries about the "how-to's" of raising layer hens for egg production, Brodhecker Farm, Newton NJ hosted a free two hour Poultry Management workshop on April 1. Pre-registration was requested and the response was much larger than anticipated. Actual attendance exceeded sixty participants who came from all over the northernwest NJ region.The workshop covered topics related to poultry management and care. Starting off the afternoon with a focus on the specialized shelter, nutrition and care needed to get  those cute, fuzzy chicks off to a healthy start and continuing on through to the basics for keeping a healthy, productive flock of layers, the workshop focused on nutrition, housing, general sanitation and health and basic care of layers hens in egg production.

Phil Brodhecker of Brodhecker Farm, conducted the two hourinteractive workshop. An attentive audience represented a broad cross section of families and individuals who currently care for- or are planning to raise their own flock of two or more chickens.

Local interest in food production and locally raised products has increased significantly in recent years. Due in part to increasing consumer awareness of the benefits of buying local and in part to the rising cost of food, people are taking a hard second look at were their food comes from and how they can add home-grown foods to the family table. Workshop attendees expressed some other reasons for their interest in backyard poultry including the opportunity to give their children a first hand  agricultural experience and a knowledge of food production.


Some simply want to add another dimension of home-raised to their gardening efforts and for many...raising chickens promises to be rewarding and fun.

Brodhecker Farm is one of Sussex County's largest family owned, fully operational farms-raising field and forage crop, livestock and poultry. Phil Brodhecker has a degree in animal husbandry and had at one point in his career managed a large poultry production operation in the mid west. His expertise, resources and credential gave participants a well rounded perspective as he spoke to the shelter, nutrition and health needs of layer poultry. Brodhecker offered pragmatic management options and shared with the group some of the most common questions he fields from his customers but underscored that "...the best management systems are the ones that work for your lifestyle and objectives. There's a lot of information and opinion on what's the best- once you meet the basic nutrition and shelter requirements, and gain a little insight into the biology of your layer hens, the management style you choose is a matter of what fits best into your routine and lifestyle."
Brodhecker emphasized the importance of a good nutritional plan and explained how altering the chicken's diet with too many "chicken snacks" can quickly impact the health and production of the birds who have a high metabolic rate. "A chicken's heart beats over 200 times a minute," he said, "their bodies produce an egg per day-an egg with three separate components (shell, white and yolk). Meeting the nutritional demands of that kind of output takes with consistency and moderation on the snack side, will help your birds stay healthy and productive."

The interactive workshop concluded with an opportunity for participants to discuss their individual questions with Brodhecker Farm staff who were on hand throughout the afternoon. A coop and run display was available for closer inspection-as were feeders and watering equipment of varying sizes. Brodhecker Farm just recently introduced a chicken run- designed and built by farm staff-to their coop and poultry offerings. The run is designed with an entrance access customizable to fit the layout of existing shelters.  The ability to customize caretaker access to the shelter makes it easier to integrate the coop and run into the backyard or landscape. Constructed for durability and with protection against preditors in mind, Brodhecker's chicken run gives the birds access to forage. exercise and fresh air while still protecting them from the elements and keeping   them safely contained.

Sussex County has a rich agricultural heritage and a growing population of small farm operations and backyard producers. New Jersey's agricultural picture has changed over the decades and is continually making room for small acreage farms who add to the beautiful mosaic of agriculture in the Garden State.

Learn more about Sussex County Agriculture and locally grown/locally produced foods by visiting the Sussex County Board of Agriculture .

Meet Churutabis Farm A Sussex County small farm success

NJ Agriculture is much like a beautiful mosaic-comprised of large farm operations and an increasing number of small family farms. Many new small farm operations have their beginnings in a life long dream- to cultivate a deeper connection to nature- a passion for agriculture or a desire to create a small business enterprise. For many, the road from dream to reality is paved with unanticipated challenges, successes and failures. But those who persist- personal and perhaps ultimately financial rewards can be found.Finding the balance between passion and business is key to NJ Agriculture's viability.

Churutabis Farm in Frankford is one of several small farm business success stories in Sussex County. It's also a success story, written over time, and punctuated with challenges, setbacks, adaptations and growth. Founded in 2001 by Hannelie and Werner Rheeder, Churutabis Farm has been evolving over the past nine years.
Agriculture's roots run deep in the family's history dating back to Hannelie's childhood experiences in Namibia, where her family raised bore goats and sheep. After moving to the US and establishing her family, Hannelie and Werner spent many weekends "escaping" urban living and traveling to the beautiful farm countryside of Sussex County. Attracted by the vast open space and agricultural heritage of the County, they eventually relocated their family to Frankford and began to build their vision of a family farm.

Churutabis Farm began as many small family farms do, with a great deal of planning, sweat equity and investment-and a few animals. The family soon became involved in the Sussex County 4H Livestock program and the three Rheeder children began learning about dairy goats through their hands-on experiences in the goat club. Juan, Migael and Lindie learned about breeding, tending and showing their goats with the guidance of their club leaders and fellow members. As a 4H leader, Hannelie was able to contribute her vast experience and knowledge to the organization as well.

For a time, dairy and meat goats were the focus of the farm enterprise. The family grew in their enjoyment,knowledge and expertise in this area- however as a business venture- sustainability was challenged by an over abundance of product which could not be marketed (milk, cheese, butter etc.) and a limited demand for breeding stock.

Poultry was part of the family's operation early on-but as a sideline rather than a focus of their ag efforts. Prompted by a need to evolve from a backyard family farm into a agri-business, the family readjusted their thinking and identified a market niche that could satisfy their personal goals and grow their farm business. Tapping into local expertise,investing in their own internet research and developing a network of friends within the local farming community -Churutabis Farm made a successful shift from livestock to poultry production. Now they are fast becoming one of the area's premier producers of farm raised duck, guinea hen and geese-supplying locally produced meat to satisfy the growing NYC restaurant market demand.

Demand for their product has increased significantly over the past few years. To meet supply demands, Churutabis Farm continually reviews their expansion and management plans-careful to be be certain a market is in place BEFORE making additional dollar or labor investments (a lesson most small farm producers soon enough learn).
Churutabis Farm has developed a carefully orchestrated and timed production schedule and has virtually eliminated "brooding" from their program-reducing many of the management challenges associated with incubation and hatching of new chicks. Now, day-old birds are shipped to the farm. The birds are naturally raised and pastured until they reach their optimum market maturity. They are then sold to a distributor who processes and markets the finished product.

By adjusting their production process and working with a distributor, Churutabis Farm can focus their resources and attention to raising meat products of consistent quality and desirability.This management system also allows the family to take a much needed "breather" during the deep winter months- a welcome change from previous years of livestock production.

Churutabis Farm is a great example of the evolution of agriculture in New Jersey-demonstrating how small farms are adding to the beautiful mosaic of agriculture in the Garden State.

To those small farm producers currently finding their way in the farming business, Hannelie offers this advice: " If you build slowly, and develop a market for your product before adding more to your plate-you can be successful. Though it isn't an easy road, your passion can be profitable, sustainable and rewarding."

The Sussex Naturally congratulates Churutabis Farm for  their success in developing a management and business plan that meets the growing demand for high quality, locally grown food products.