Free Range Chicken
Remember the true taste of chicken?
That dense, succulent meat, delicious juices and irresistibly crispy skin. Enjoy a Townsend free range chicken and rediscover chicken as it used to taste.
Lovingly reared on an additive free diet, Townsend chickens are not just any chicken. They represent a boy’s dream, which is to produce an entirely natural chicken that is exceptionally tasty and nourishing that can be enjoyed on any occasion.
Townsend Farm
In the heart of the Manitoba Sandilands Forest Preserve Townsend is nestled in the small French Canadian community of Woodridge. Townsend free range chickens are chickens with a difference. The birds roam freely on 40 acres of pasture overlooking the pond and gardens.
Hyrum is a farmer with a mission, which is to rear truly free range chicken in the French countryside that the family loves. His poultry enjoys an additive free diet without antibiotics or drugs of any kind. His birds have gained a reputation for, quality of meat and the unsurpassed welfare of the birds. His legacy will be based on his passion for the traditional ways of husbandry which he believes are best for both chickens and people.
The birds live in small groups and shelter from the elements in a house that has; plenty of room, no artificial lighting, and natural ventilation. Their playground outside is the prairie grassland at Townsend. From about four weeks of age the happy chicks venture outside to enjoy exploring under Manitoba’s vast open skies. All feeding and watering takes place outside by hand with additional nutrients foraged from the surrounding vegetation.
Hyrum firmly believes in the slow process of rearing birds in the traditional way. Townsend free range chicken, reared in the Manitoba countryside, will satisfy all your expectations for taste, welfare, and value.
Fryer size 3 to 5 lbs. • Roaster size 5 to 8 lbs. • Capon size 8+ lbs
Townsend Free Range Fryer
This Bird is between 5 – 7 weeks old and weighing between 3 and 5 pounds when processed. A fryer chicken can be prepared in any manner, for example, fried chicken. This is the most economical way to purchase your chicken while still enjoying free range taste and quality.
Townsend Free Range Roaster
A roaster chicken is an older chicken, about 8 – 10 weeks old and weighing between 5 and 8 pounds. The roaster yields more meat per pound than a fryer and is usually roasted whole but it can also be used in other preparations, like chicken cacciatore. The Townsend free ranged roaster is the perfect Sunday meal with family and friends.
Townsend Free Range Woodland Turkeys
Arriving in May and June direct from the hatchery they are cared for by our dedicated poultry manager who takes pride in his work. Once old enough they are left to wander in ancient woodland and basically as with the geese do as they please, not harassed and just living naturally. They have access to straw-bedded barns at night, but quite often choose to sleep outside depending on the weather. Our turkeys are 25 weeks old when processed and can weigh up to 30 to 40 lbs
Townsend Free Ranged Capons
Capons are the king of the poultry world. A capon is a castrated rooster. Capons are considered by many people to be a boutique and old fashioned sort of food, and they tend to have more tender and flavourful flesh as well as a higher fat content. The markedly different flavor profile of a capon is distinctive to consumers once they taste it, especially when the capon has been conscientiously raised. Townsend Capons are processed at 12 weeks of age and will weigh over 10lbs. This bird is for a party of family or friends and will provide plenty succulent dense meat and enough pan juices for gravy.
Townsend Pheasant
Contrary to popular belief, it is not the “English” pheasant that we eat. Nor is the pheasant eaten in England “English”. It is a Chinese Ringneck / Mongolian cross. All species of pheasant are Asian origin. A bit of trivia… they were discovered by Jason (of Argonauts fame) while on his quest for the Golden Fleece. He brought them back to Greece; the Romans tasted them and must have been impressed, as took them with them on their conquests, as part of their living larder. …. obviously a few escaped in England and then brought to Canada with the early settlers!
Hyrum Nesom
Farming has been in the Nesom family since the early 1600’s, and our family has been at Townsend since 2008. Our family has grown up with good food and our children are natural animal lovers. Combining these passions together our family has become interested in organic and sustainable farming.
Hyrum Is our chicken producer and entrepreneur. Hyrum is looking to; produce the best chicken possible for his customers and stay out of the way of his older sisters.