We are also a "hobby with a purpose"
I have put together some info for people for when we actually get all certified and producung chicks.
Here it is:
Who are we?
Owned and operated by Wendell and Beth Smith, Windy Ridge Dominiques is a small farm dedicated to the preservation of the American Dominique large fowl chicken. We typically only keep about 20 hens and a few roosters over the winter. Currently, we are one of two Dominique breeders and producers that we know of in Colorado and the only place (that we know of) where you can buy Dominique eggs in Southern Colorado. We also have two Norwegian Elkhounds. Our small farm is located west of interstate 25, close to Ft Carson’s east fence at about 5600 feet.
Our Chickens:
The American Dominique, sometimes called “Dominiques” or a “Dominicker”, dates from at least the early 1700’s in New England. They developed from the many different chickens brought to the new world. They were a favorite of the early settlers and pioneers due to their ability to forage and lay eggs nearly year round. These chickens were either single or rose combed (rose being most common), with “cuckoo” patterned dark grey and light grey barring. That means that the bars on the feathers don’t line up, giving a “cuckoo” or zigzag pattern. They were raised on family farms to provide meat, eggs, and feathers for pillows and quilts. The Dominique is a medium sized chicken that lays brown eggs. They are very hardy and excel at foraging. As other breeds were developed primarily for egg or meat production, the Dominique was almost lost. The American Dominique is slowly regaining popularity again in the United States. We also maintain a few hens of other breeds that lay blue and green eggs.
Our Operation:
We raise our chickens for the same products as did our early American ancestors: for the eggs, the meat and for the feathers. Our chickens are raised in an environment where they have a hen house and a large fenced area outside to scratch, dust bath, hunt for bugs, eat grass and weeds, and do all the other things chickens love to do. They do not live in cages. During breeding time, the breeding groups are housed in large pens until the selective breeding period is complete. At that time they go back with the other chickens. They always have access to as much food and water as they want, for as long as they want. Because we are in an area with many predators, such as coyotes, fox, owls and hawks, they are protected by fencing both around their very large run area. Besides the large hen house, they have nearly 4000 square feet on which to roam. We take good care of our chickens, by feeding them wholesome food, providing them comfortable housing, by protecting them from predators, by giving the flock regular health inspections and treating them for illness as needed. Besides commercial feeds, our chickens eat locally raised grains, and locally produced chicken feed, as it is available. They also eat bugs, grasses, weeds, etc. They love to eat vegetable scraps! We are NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) certified, and licensed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture as egg producers. We practice bio-security to prevent diseases from spreading to our flock.
Our Products:
We sell eggs from our home. We also occasionally sell live chickens for pets, egg production or meat. We do not sell processed chicken. We can help you process your own by appointment. We also sell hatching eggs and will sometimes consign eggs for hatching to local schools or other organizations. On consigned hatching eggs, we may get some of the chicks back when the school is finished with the hatching project. We do not ship day old chicks; however we occasionally sell chicks at our home for pick-up.
Farm visits
Give us a call or write us an email to arrange for a Windy Ridge Dominiques tour.
