Producer
Shady Brook Farm
Contact: Adam Henson
Address: 66 Yonder Mountain Rd Canton, NC, 28716
About Us
Located in Henson Cove, Haywood County, NC, Shady Brook Farm is dedicated to raising quality protein products for your table. We pride ourselves on raising grass only beef and pastured poultry well by giving the animals a quality life experience without losing sight of their purpose.
In the 1950's U.G. Henson brought Angus cattle into his section of Henson Cove beginning our family's love affair with this spectacular breed of cattle. Four generations later we are proud to continue raising these fine animals using rotational grazing methods.
Commercial poultry came to the farm in 2011 to help improve our soil fertility as well as provide other farm products. Raised in the pastures - following the cattle - both our egg flock and meat chickens have 24/7 access to pasture.
In the 1950's U.G. Henson brought Angus cattle into his section of Henson Cove beginning our family's love affair with this spectacular breed of cattle. Four generations later we are proud to continue raising these fine animals using rotational grazing methods.
Commercial poultry came to the farm in 2011 to help improve our soil fertility as well as provide other farm products. Raised in the pastures - following the cattle - both our egg flock and meat chickens have 24/7 access to pasture.
Practices
We believe raising animals on pasture is the best way. We use rotational grazing for the cattle to ensure they are on fresh grass regularly. This method allows rest periods for the soil and forages, allowing them to stay strong and healthy throughout the grazing season. In the winter we feed grass hay to the cattle on the pasture. Each day during the winter feeding season, hay is fed in a different location in order to minimize the ground disturbance in any one specific spot in the pasture as well as spread manure out more evenly.
Angus cattle are uniquely suited for life outside. They were originally bred on the north east coast of Scotland and were meant to outlast cold, wet weather. Our herd makes its living on the pastures, and we take advantage of the bloodlines pioneered at the WYE Plantation in the 1950-70's by Jim Lingle and company. These cattle thrive in a grass only production model. We calve out on the pasture in March and April. Beef that bares our Shady Brook Farm label was born on the farm, only leaving it on harvest day.
The chicken flocks are also raised on pasture. We utilize electrified poultry netting and a livestock guardian dog to protect the birds from both ground and air predators as well as concentrate their efforts. The poultry fences and field shelters are moved on a regular basis as the chickens follow the cattle through the pastures. This method gives the birds plenty of room to express themselves - "the chickiness of the chicken" as Joel Salatin would say. This results in rich egg yolks as well as firm textured chicken with robust flavor. The chickens do receive a grain supplement, but because they are omnivores and are outside their diet is not strictly vegetarian.
Even during the winter the laying flock stays on pasture. We utilize the high production capabilities of hybrid layers for brown layers. We do not use artificial lighting during the winter months, instead choosing to follow a more natural production model.
Angus cattle are uniquely suited for life outside. They were originally bred on the north east coast of Scotland and were meant to outlast cold, wet weather. Our herd makes its living on the pastures, and we take advantage of the bloodlines pioneered at the WYE Plantation in the 1950-70's by Jim Lingle and company. These cattle thrive in a grass only production model. We calve out on the pasture in March and April. Beef that bares our Shady Brook Farm label was born on the farm, only leaving it on harvest day.
The chicken flocks are also raised on pasture. We utilize electrified poultry netting and a livestock guardian dog to protect the birds from both ground and air predators as well as concentrate their efforts. The poultry fences and field shelters are moved on a regular basis as the chickens follow the cattle through the pastures. This method gives the birds plenty of room to express themselves - "the chickiness of the chicken" as Joel Salatin would say. This results in rich egg yolks as well as firm textured chicken with robust flavor. The chickens do receive a grain supplement, but because they are omnivores and are outside their diet is not strictly vegetarian.
Even during the winter the laying flock stays on pasture. We utilize the high production capabilities of hybrid layers for brown layers. We do not use artificial lighting during the winter months, instead choosing to follow a more natural production model.