Roasters are ready now
One bird.Six plates.
Beyond Organic Cornish Cross roasters, raised over pasture on our family farm in Hilliard, Florida.
They come whole and frozen, minimum 5lb, with the neck tucked inside.
From our farmin Hilliard
Go ahead, tap the bird
How Many Meals in One Roaster?
Tap the bird and see how far it goes.
One bird feeds all six of us at our table.
That's about $5.83 a plate. Big eaters may get fewer plates out of it, of course.
Dinner for four, and lunch tomorrow.
Feeding a smaller crew? You'll usually have enough left over for sandwiches or a salad the next day.
Then the bones go in the pot.
Every bird comes with its neck tucked in, which is just what you want for a good broth.
Why our roasters live up off the ground
Out in the sun.
Up off the wet ground.
Cornish Cross are big, easygoing birds that don't move around much, and sitting on wet ground isn't good for them. So ours live in coops that sit up over our pasture.
Out in the sun all day
The coops sit right out on the pasture, so the birds get fresh air and sunshine from morning till evening.
Dry when it rains
A solid roof keeps the rain off, and the coop keeps them safe from predators.
A clean, dry floor
The floor has holes in it, so it stays clean and dry where the birds are.
Organic feed, every day
They eat certified organic, non-GMO feed, on a farm where we don't use pesticides of any kind. That's Beyond Organic.
A lot of farms say "pasture-raised." We say "raised over pasture," because that's what we actually do.
Never cooked a whole bird before?
From your freezer to the table
It's a lot easier than it looks. Here's about all there is to it.
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A day or two in the fridge
Move it from the freezer to the fridge a day or two before you cook it. A big bird may need a little longer.
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Into the oven at 350°F
A 5 to 7 lb bird takes about 2 to 2¼ hours unstuffed, or 15 to 30 minutes more if you stuff it.
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Done at 165°F
USDA says to check it with a food thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
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Dinner, then broth
The bones and the neck make a good pot of broth.
Forgot to thaw it?
USDA says it can be cooked from frozen in the oven, and it may take about 50 percent longer. Just don't cook it frozen in a slow cooker or the microwave. Either way, it's done at 165°F.
In a hurry?
You can thaw it under cold water in a leak-proof bag, changing the water every 30 minutes so it stays cold. USDA says to cook it right after it thaws this way.
Firing up the grill?
USDA's chart uses indirect heat with a drip pan, and about 18 to 25 minutes per pound for a bird this size. It's still done at 165°F.
Times and temperatures come from USDA's Chicken from Farm to Table guide. USDA calls the times approximate, so the 165°F reading is what counts.
Get your roaster here in the Jacksonville area
Order online, or just call or text me your name. There's no deposit.
These are local birds, so we don't ship them.
At the farm in Hilliard
Come out to the farm at 48229 Hinson Way. I'm around Monday through Saturday, so just let me know when you're coming and I'll have your bird ready. Even one bird is fine.
Or meet me in Hilliard or Callahan
If the farm's a bit of a drive, I can meet you in the post office parking lot in either town, Monday through Saturday. Since I'm driving in, I do ask that the order comes to at least $25, and one roaster gets you there.
Ordering online just saves your bird. You pay cash when you pick it up.
And if you've got a cooler, bring it along. Your bird would rather stay frozen on the ride home.
Already getting eggs from us? I'm happy to bring a roaster along on the same trip.
Rather text? I'm Mike, and you can reach me at 904-878-5988
Things people ask about our roasters
How big are they?
Every bird is at least 5 lb, most come in around 6, and some get up to 7.
How many people does one feed?
One feeds six of us at our table. If you're feeding four, you'll usually have leftovers for lunch the next day. Big eaters may get fewer plates out of it, of course.
Why $34.99?
Depending on the size of the bird, it works out to about $5 to $7 a pound. The biggest piece of that is the certified organic, non-GMO feed. The rest goes into caring for the birds every day and processing each one ourselves, right here on the farm.
Is this a Cornish game hen?
No. A Cornish game hen is a small bird, usually 1 to 2 lb. Ours are Cornish Cross roasters, young birds that grow to a full 5 to 7 lb, big enough for a family dinner. USDA says a roaster yields more meat per pound than a regular fryer chicken, too.
Are they pasture-raised?
Not the way most farms mean it. Cornish Cross are heavy birds that don't move around much, and wet ground isn't good for them. So ours live in coops that sit up over our pasture with a floor that has holes in it, so it stays clean and dry. The birds get fresh air and sunshine from morning till evening. We call that raised over pasture.
Are they organic?
They're not certified organic. They eat certified organic, non-GMO feed, and we don't use pesticides of any kind on our farm, synthetic or organic. That's what we mean by Beyond Organic.
Does it come with giblets?
No giblets, but every bird comes with its neck, which is great in the broth pot.
Is it fresh or frozen?
Frozen. It'll keep in your freezer until you're ready, and then it just needs a day or two in the fridge to thaw. For the best quality, USDA suggests using a frozen whole chicken within a year.
How do I save one?
Order online, or call or text me at 904-878-5988 with your name. There's no deposit.
Why do they sell out?
We raise them in small batches, and every batch has sold out so far. If you'd like a heads-up when the next one's ready, just text me.
Can you ship them?
Not the birds, I'm afraid. They stay right here in Florida. You can pick one up at the farm, or I'll meet you in Hilliard or Callahan. Our powders are the ones that ship, anywhere in the USA.
One bird, six plates, and a pot of broth to finish. Yum!
Order my roaster · $34.99