You can! This April, foster baby chicks from Willow Haven Farm in Breinigsville & New Tripoli, PA through our Foster a Chick Program. Pre-orders are open now!

Pre-order My Foster Chicks

Why Foster Baby Chicks?

Wouldn’t it be amazing to feel connected to spring and experience new life in a whole new way?

At Willow Haven Farm, we collect farm-fresh eggs daily to make delicious omelets, scrambles, quiches, pies, and cakes. But given the right conditions, an egg will hatch into a chick!

Did you know that many farms, including ours, receive baby chicks through the USPS mail? We typically receive two boxes of one hundred loudly peeping chicks, and it’s our job to make sure they are well cared for.

Now It’s Your Turn to Raise Baby Chicks!

Did you know that you can help us raise our day-old chicks for a couple of weeks?

As soon as our chicks arrive, about 100 local families will line up to pick their special pair to take home.

Participants will learn the importance of farm animal care:

• Keep chicks warm, but not too warm.
• Provide fresh water at all times.
• Make sure they don’t spill their water and get too cold.

But don’t worry! Just like all babies, they will peep loudly to let you know if something is wrong. That’s their way of reminding you to check on them while you foster them for Farmer Reuben.

Pre-order My Foster Chicks

When will I pick up my pair of chicks?

Foster Chicks: Thursday, April 2 – Saturday, April 4, 2026
Pickup at Willow Haven Farm – 7686 Herber Rd, New Tripoli, PA
Thursday 10 AM – 4 PM
Friday 10 AM – 6 PM
Saturday 10 AM – 1 PM

Pre-order My Foster Chicks

How do I take care of my foster chicks?

No worries! After you reserve your chicks, we’ll send you a Chick Care Guide and a series of training emails to walk you through the process. Watch your inbox!

When Should I Return My Foster Chicks?

Most participants keep them for about two weeks, but you can return them earlier if you prefer. Check our return hours which will be posted in our Foster a Chick Chat group.  You’ll get the link when you complete your Pre-order.

What else can I do at Willow Haven Farm?

Get Organic Farm Food Year-Round!
Customize your Market Box CSA with farm-fresh, organic foods. We even deliver to homes in the Lehigh Valley! Foster A Chick participants get $20 off if you join by May 1st. Learn More Here!

Visit the Farm Any Saturday!
Farm tours, see other animals, and shop our On-Farm Market.

Join Volunteer Tuesdays!
Bring your family and help on the farm any Tuesday between 8:30 – 12:00 PM.

Brick Oven Pizza Nights!
Enjoy fresh, farm-made pizza at our monthly pizza nights!

Homesteading Conference – Sept. 5, 2026
Learn essential skills for a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Pre-order My Foster Chicks

Also: Learn about the health benefits of beets, especially fermented beets, and beet Kvass.

Celebrate our new Greek-style yogurt with me! I shared my methods for making your own homemade yogurt here.

To Help You use everything in your box this week, Use this ​Meal Planning Guide​ to keep track of what’s in the fridge, what needs to be used first and what you have planned or prepped for each day.

Organic Veggies We Harvested This Week:

Every member’s customized Market Box is unique so we hope you will take advantage of more varieties of vegetables as you get comfortable with all the great organic produce we are offering.

Tessa’s Tips

Coming Soon:  If you want those the first time they are offered, make sure they are rated 5 in your preferences and there aren’t too many other competing 5s.

What to use first: broccoli, dill, lettuce, snow peas, microgreens, cherries, blueberries, raspberries

What to use last: kohlrabi, beets, garlic scapes, rhubarb, scallions

Finished for the season: We’ll let you know here when a certain crop is over for the season.

Done for now but will return: Many spring veggies will reappear in the fall.

Storage & Usage Info

Beets, Red – Store beet greens separately from the root, wrapped in a damp cloth or in a plastic bag in the fridge, using them quickly as they don’t keep long. Beet roots can be stored in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the fridge. To freeze beets, slice or chop them, spread them on a cookie sheet to flash freeze, then transfer them to freezer bags where they can be stored for up to a year. I love beets. My favorite summer salad is with beets, walnuts, and parmesan. Some people love beets. Others will try to hide them in other things. Try Beet Chips – even for those who don’t like beets.  Or hide them in baked treats: 11  Beet Recipes that Don’t Taste Like Dirt

Want to give Red Beets a try? Download my free veggie e-book all about Beets with suggested recipes and best uses!

Bok Choy – Bok choy can be eaten either raw or cooked. If stir-frying or sautéing, chop the white stalks separately from the green leaves. Start cooking the white stalks several minutes before adding the leaves to avoid overcooking the greens. Bok choy can also be grilled by cutting the vegetable lengthwise and drizzling with oil. Storage:  Do not wash until ready to use. Store in an open plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer. Dirt often gets trapped in the widest part of the white stalks, so wash it well. Try these recipes: Pasta with Bok Choy and Feta, Buttery Bok Choy Gratin, Chow Mein with Peas, Greens, Bok Choy 

Chinese/Napa Cabbage – Can be eaten raw in salads or cooked any way you would use traditional cabbage. It tastes excellent in Asian-flavored dishes, especially stir-fry. Stir-fried Chinese Cabbage Recipe Store the Napa cabbage wrapped in a damp towel or plastic bag in crisper drawer. The Napa cabbage will stay fresh for up to two weeks. For a quick, unique meal, try Curried Macaroni & Tuna with Chinese Cabbage and serve warm or cold.

Collard Greens – To store, wrap the greens, unwashed, in damp paper towels until you are ready to use them. Keep the wrapped greens in an open plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to about 5 days. When you are ready to cook the greens, you’ll need to wash them. To freeze: Wash the leaves, cut off the woody stems, blanch in boiling water for three minutes and chill in ice water. Dry the leaves, pack into freezer bags, and freeze. Make these Asian Sushi Collard Wraps for a farm-to-table alternative to takeout.

Cucumbers, pickling – store in a loosely sealed plastic bag in the fridge. This is your opportunity to make a Refrigerator pickle (also called a Quick Pickle) or a Fermented Pickle. Both are easy, though fermented pickles have more probiotic advantages. . You may still use pickling cucumbers as snacks or in salads.  They just work better for pickling than an English or slicing cucumber. 

Cucumbers, slicing – store in a loosely sealed plastic bag in the fridge.  Cucumber Salad is a classic!

Dill – like all herbs, will not last long once picked. Place upright in a glass of water in the fridge or on your kitchen counter. Dill pairs well with potatoes, cucumbers, and green beans. If you cannot use the dill this week, preserve the herb by tying a string around the bunch and hanging it upside down in a well-ventilated and dry area. When it’s dry, crumble and store in an airtight container. Making a dill dressing to use on salad, dip, grilled veggies or meats also preserves the dill longer.

Fennel – Fennel is a member of the carrot family and is known for its sweet, anise-like flavor. Fennel is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. The bulbs can be thinly sliced and added to salads, sautéed, roasted, or grilled. The stalks can be used in soups and stews, and the fronds can be used as an herb-like garnish. Store fennel bulbs in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer, where they can keep fresh for up to a week. If the fronds are still attached, trim them and store separately wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag. For longer storage, fennel bulbs can be blanched and frozen.

Garlic Scapes – a treat that is only harvested for about 3 weeks each year. Place in a plastic bag in the fridge for two to three weeks.  It makes a delicious pesto. Simply replace basil with garlic scapes in a pesto recipe. This pesto may also be frozen flat in a plastic bag so that you may break off a chunk as needed. Garlic Scape Pesto. If you can’t get through them fast enough, just chop them up and throw them into the freezer in a Ziploc freezer bag. Use them all winter long as a garlic substitute. I like to use these in garlic-scape compound butter or add to my own DIY cream cheese.

Kale – Lacinato or Red Russian kale. Store in a loosely sealed plastic bag in the crisper drawer for 7-10 days. Lacinato is dark green, with narrow bumpy leaves. Red Russian kale has red/purple stems and a more tender, flatter leaf. To freeze, wash and chop into small pieces and place in a freezer bag. This would be delicious used in the winter in a potato soup or vegetable stir fry.  I love it sauteed with garlic and olive oil until bright green and tender.

Kohlrabi, Green – green or purple variety. Cut off leaves and store separately in a plastic bag – you can use them like kale!  Most likely you will receive purple kohlrabi which is more often used as a cooked vegetable. Green varieties are very suitable raw and may be cooked as well.  Store bulbs in a bag or wrap in a moist paper towel. Both parts should be stored in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator.  This post has great info and suggestions for Kohlrabi.  Other CSA members have enjoyed their kohlrabi grilled, roasted, and spiralized into noodles. Kohlrabi Salad with Cilantro and Lime is a refreshing side for your summer meals. SNACK IDEA: Cut in slices or sticks for snacking, sprinkle with salt or serve with a dip. Some people even swear that dipping in peanut butter is their favorite way to eat them.

Lettuce, Butterhead – This variety is a head lettuce. Store it properly to last all week.

Microgreens – Transfer to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Store the container or bag in the refrigerator’s vegetable crisper drawer, where the microgreens can stay fresh for about 5 to 7 days.

Mushrooms, Lion’s Mane – can be sautéed, grilled, or roasted and are excellent in soups, stews, and stir-fries. Their texture makes them a great meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan recipes. Store in a paper bag in the refrigerator to prevent moisture buildup and keep fresh for up to a week.

Mushrooms, Oyster – can be sautéed, grilled, roasted, or added to soups, stews, and stir-fries. Use in pasta dishes, risotto, or as a topping for pizzas. Store in a paper bag in the refrigerator to maintain freshness for up to a week.

Mushroom, Portobello & Cremini – These two mushrooms are the same variety but are harvested at different sizes. Store in a paper bag and refrigerate in the main section of the fridge with a dry paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Alternatively, mushrooms can be briefly sautéed or blanched before freezing to extend their shelf life for up to 3 months.

Mushrooms, Shiitake – Add them to stir-fries, risottos, soups, or use them as a filling for tacos. They are also great for Asian-inspired noodle dishes or as a base for stuffed mushrooms. Enjoy their earthy flavor and meaty texture in these and other creative recipes. Store shiitake mushrooms in a paper bag or a loosely wrapped plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Rhubarb – To store rhubarb, remove any leaves and trim the ends, then place the stalks in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. For usage, rhubarb can be cooked into compotes, jams, pies, or used in baked goods, providing a tart flavor that pairs well with sweet ingredients like strawberries or apples. Looking for a savory way to use rhubarb? This Linguini with Garlic, Pepper, and Rhubarb recipe takes under 30 minutes to prepare.

Scallions – Green onions, or scallions, can be wrapped in a damp towel or placed in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the fridge. Chop and use raw or cooked any way you would use a bulb onion. The whole of the green onion can be eaten, stalks and all.

Snow Peas – can be enjoyed raw in salads or stir-fried for a crunchy texture. They are a versatile vegetable that pairs well with various dishes and cuisines. Store snow peas in a perforated plastic bag or breathable container in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and crispness.  Snow Peas and Garlic is a great way to use your garlic scapes and scallions with your peas. 

Spearmint – Just like most herbs, mint should be stored on the kitchen counter in a jar or cup with a small amount of water in the bottom. Keep the mint fresh by snipping a half inch off the bottom of the stem and placing it in a glass of water on your kitchen counter, just like you would do to a bouquet of flowers. Change the water daily to keep the herb fresh all week. Here’s more to help you use fresh mint. Mint Resources

Summer Squash/Zucchini – green summer squash is often called zucchini but there are many varieties of various green and yellow that are interchangeable in recipes. Try a simple sautee or stir fry. Use green or yellow squash in this Simple Sauteed Zucchini Squash Recipe. Sausage Stuffed Zucchini is a great dinner option.

Swiss Chard – Chard is in the chenopod family which includes beets and spinach. The stems come in a variety of vibrant colors or simply a whitish green. Both the leaves and the stalks are edible. When cooked, swiss chard is a very good source of vitamins A, C, K, iron, and potassium. Serving Suggestions: When picked very young, chard can be part of a green salad. But full grown chard like in your box today has a very strong flavor and tough stems when eaten raw. Chard can be sliced and chopped and added to soups. After cooking for several minutes, it can also be added to rice and beans or omelets. Basically any way you would prepare spinach, you could substitute chard allowing for longer cook time for the stems. Store in a loosely sealed plastic bag in the fridge for 3-5 days. Before using, wash well in cool water and separate the leaves from the stems. See below for E-book with recipes. This is one of our family favorites Baked Swiss Chard Stems. Try this twist on bruschetta: Skillet Bruschetta with Beans and Greens.

Tomato, Red – Keep tomatoes on the counter at room temperature. Tomatoes should not be refrigerated. Enjoy fresh in salads.

Have you made Green Cubes yet?

Swiss Chard, Lettuce, Bok Choy, Napa Cabbage, Green Cabbage, Collards, Kale – they are all green and leafy. PLUS, you get the bonus greens from the tops of the beets, radish and kohlrabi.

Besides throwing the stems, ends, or cores of these nutritious greens in your “veggie scrap bag” for your own DIY veggie broth, you can also make “green cubes” to use later.

When you need a quick way to use your greens and get them out of your refrigerator before they go to waste, or before your next Market Box full of farm goodness arrives, the Green Cube Strategy comes to the rescue.

Making ice cube-shaped pureed greens is a great way to “hide” extra nutrition into your soups, stews and sauces this winter. Leafy greens lose a lot of volume when you cook them so they are easy to store in the freezer without taking up freezer space.

How to Make Green Cubes Video: This video tutorial from my friend’s CSA farm in Ohio teaches you this quick, easy method. It may look like a number of steps but each one only takes a minute or two. You’ll be happy you saved them to use later.

Download the Green Cube Method guide to keep as a reference. Maybe even start a binder and keep these handy guides as printouts.

Farm Food Highlights

FRUIT:

Cherries – Cherries, like many fruits, are prone to spoiling if they are not prepared and stored correctly. Cherries do not do well in warm or room temperature conditions and will quickly lose their delicious, juicy taste. Therefore, it is best to keep them cold if they are not being eaten immediately. They should also be kept dry, if at all possible. Cherries are also known to absorb water or moisture easily, which can change their taste and texture.  Freshly picked cherries last only about two days at room temperature. They will last about three to five days, or for up to a week on rare occasions, when kept in the refrigerator. Do not wash until ready to eat. 

Blueberries – are low-calorie berries packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and anthocyanins. They offer immune support, contribute to bone health, and provide antioxidant protection. Storage: Keep blueberries unwashed in a covered container or loosely closed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Avoid washing them until just before use to prevent moisture. Fresh blueberries can last up to a week when properly stored. Usage: Enjoy blueberries fresh as a snack or add them to cereals, yogurt, smoothies, salads, and desserts. They can be used in baking or incorporated into savory dishes. Frozen blueberries are a convenient option for year-round use. 

Red Raspberries – are delicious berries that belong to the rose family. They are low in calories and fat, high in dietary fiber, and rich in vitamins C and K. Raspberries are also a good source of antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which contribute to their vibrant color and may have protective effects against chronic diseases. Storage: To maximize the shelf life, remove any moldy or damaged berries before storing. Place the unwashed raspberries in a shallow container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Store them in the refrigerator and consume within a few days for optimal freshness. It is best to wash raspberries just before eating to prevent them from becoming mushy.

This Vinegar Rinse is highly recommended for berries: mix one part vinegar with three parts water, then gently rinse the berries in the solution. Rinse them again with plain water and pat them dry before consuming or storing.

Yogurt – New item! Enjoy our own brand of delicious Greek Yogurt made with our fresh raw milk, organic fruit, organic sugar, and yogurt cultures. Choose from plain, peach, or mango varieties.

ORGANIC PANTRY RECOMMENDATIONS:

Try our delicious granola made with organic ingredients, or a four-grain hot cereal mix of organic rice, buckwheat, wheat, & corn from Frankferd Farms.

If you didn’t get these in your farm share this week, look for them next time.

MEAL SUGGESTIONS: 

Bonus just for you to use your berries and greens: Formula for Perfect Smoothies

Serve fresh berries with yogurt, granola, or hot cereal for a quick, nutritious breakfast or lunch.

Massaged Kale Salad with Beets, Oranges, and Goat Cheese makes a great summer meal or side and uses several items available in your market box.

Keep Tessa’s Favorite Coleslaw Dressing & Recipe on hand all season to make coleslaw or use over any spring salad.

Veggie E-Books

Download these collections of tips and recipes for each veggie. You’ll use these as a reference throughout the season.

Beets E-Book
Bok Choy E-Book
Cucumbers E-Book
Peas E-Book
Summer Squash & Zucchini E-book
Tomatoes E-Book

Farm Events

Coming up:

Brick Oven Pizza Night

Join us every Friday night from 5:00-9:00 P.M.

Relax and enjoy the farm-to-table flavors of Massimiliano’s Homestead’s hand-crafted pizza.

Member Appreciation Dinner – June 29, 5:30 P.M. – This Saturday!  See You There!

As Always…

We support your desire to have a good, healthy way of life and food on your table that supports that goal.

We’ll keep farming for you!

Reuben and Tessa DeMaster
Willow Haven Farm

Taking my girls out for birthday shopping kept being delayed because of farm activities. I said I would take them last Saturday, but I got pulled into setting up a tent at Rodale’s Spring Market event.

Even a unique situation on the farm last night caused me to detour as we started to drive away.

A fight.

Two cows were pushing and head butting each other in the pasture as we drove by.

Curious about why two large females were acting this way, I stopped to send a picture and video to Farmer Reuben—just in case we needed to worry.

When the bull got involved and started mounting one of them, I realized it was probably a cow “in heat” causing all the angst.

Keep the Angst in the Pasture

It was a stressful week for some of the cows. A couple of our favorite mature calves were moved to a different pasture, and their former companions “missed them.”
Luscious green grass to eat isn’t enough to distract from the stresses of mating and of separating cows from growing steers.

It’s just better when the males and females are separate.

Especially when it comes to birthday shopping.

Our “girls-only” shopping trip was successful. We enjoyed new summer shoes, choosing fabric for a sewing project, and a sweet treat.

Remembering our flavorful, not too sweet, not too large gelatos while we were in Rome, my daughter commented on how large our portions were. “I’m glad I got the small!” We can’t wait for Daddy Farmer to figure out a way to create farm made gelato for our farm stores – and our family!

Accomplishing our goals together, reminiscing and letting our personalities mesh was fun.

My teens are so capable and independent that it is hard to find the right way to spend time with them.

Actually, it’s hard to know the right way to spend time with any teenager.

I told them to remind me next time how much we all enjoyed it and tell me not to stress about my schedule.

Cultivating Calm is Necessary for a Sustainable Life

It seems that every week is packed with activities and obligations, especially at the end of the school year.

Are you feeling it, too?

We have a high school senior graduation next week—congrats to Blaise!

To increase the intensity, Farmer Reuben just told me that he’ll be making hay next week.

A break from the wonderful spring rains we’ve had means that the lush hay and alfalfa fields are ready to be cut and baled .

That’s intense, time-sensitive work for Reuben, Andres, and Blaise.

I can’t wait until the kids are finished with their school year studies so I can focus on my summer projects.

Are you looking forward to summer too?

With Memorial Day, graduations, and end-of-school-year activities just around the corner, it feels like you just have to get through a couple more intense weeks.

Am I right?

What are you looking forward to this summer?

More time with kids or grandkids?

Quiet mornings working in your garden?

Grilling outside or trying new recipes?

I am learning to cultivate calm in my life.

If I want to do any of those things, I have to set boundaries and make sure that stressful obligations don’t crowd out time with family or a few moments of peaceful time for myself.

What peaceful moments do you enjoy?

Tessa’s Moment #1: Today I weeded my asparagus patch for fifteen minutes.

Often when I’m working in my little kitchen garden next to the house, the kids won’t interrupt me.

Only one raised bed is a small gardening commitment, and I love asparagus, so it’s manageable and rewarding.

Tessa’s Moment #2: Making dinner after working on homeschooling or farm computer projects is enjoyable too.

Sending the kids out of the house and closing my computer so I can put together a meal with the food we’ve raised is cathartic.

Tessa’s Moment #3: Walking out to the field to enjoy the excitement of new pigs arriving also keeps me grounded in reality. It’s important that I  share those moments with you so you can be connected to your food.

Reuben and Andres are timing these exciting moments with you in mind. Reuben gave me a head’s up at breakfast and Andres called me 5 minutes before he arrived at the farm with the piglets.

The children on the farm get to be part of these moments too.

Stop now to invite a child to view this farm video with you. You’ll help them learn where their food comes from.

What Does Pastured Pork Taste Like?

“The best I have ever had. No comparison to the stuff in the store. It is tender, lean, juicy, flavorful. I put some in my box every week, and my kids beg for more.” – Suzanne

Cindy told me today that the pastured pork is “Lovely. We love it. Delicious. Flavorful.”

Should you try pastured pork?

If you seek nutrient dense food then you should consider these points.

Pastured pork: pigs raised on open pastures with space to roam and forage

• Benefits:
  • Improved animal welfare: access to fresh air, sunlight, and natural behaviors
  • Environmental sustainability: promotes soil health, reduces water pollution, supports biodiversity
  • Nutritional superiority: higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins

Conventional pork: raised in confinement with a diet of grains and soy

• Drawbacks:
  • Compromised animal welfare: limited space, lack of natural light, social isolation
  • Environmental impacts: pollution from antibiotics and manure, contamination of waterways
  • Nutritional inferiority: lower levels of nutrients, higher levels of saturated fat compared to pastured pork

Grilled Pork Chops & Asparagus with Sesame Glaze

Amp up the start of summer grilling with one of my favorite recipes.

You’ll want to review my blog post from last week about how to avoid triggering asparagus haters.

Make special note of the tips in the recipe to avoid overcooking your pastured pork.

Download Recipe! 

[fusion_button link=”https://test.willowhavenfarmpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Grilled-Pork-Chops-with-Asparagus-Recipe.pdf” class=”join-btn” stretch=”no”]Download Grilled Pork Chops & Asparagus with Sesame Glaze [/fusion_button]

Considering Bulk Pork Purchase?

The pigs we raised this winter will be ready for your freezer in a few weeks.

We will sell Pork Bundles and Half Pigs. Either way, you can reserve yours by making a downpayment today.

As Always…

We support your desire to have a good, healthy way of life and food on your table that supports that goal.

We’ll keep farming for you!

Reuben and Tessa DeMaster
Willow Haven Farm

P.S. The Farm store is open on Saturday to help you stock up on eggs, milk, cheese, vegetables, natural cleaners, home remedies and more.

Open this weekend!

Market Hours: Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Here we go!

What breed are the chicks? This year yellow chicks are Cornish Crosses. We are also trying to get Golden Crosses. They are all yellow and mature to all white. Black layer chicks are Barred Rock cross.

How old are the chicks? We receive the chicks when they are one day old. Depending on when you pick them up, they are only 1 – 3 days old.

When will I know if I have a rooster or hen? We are able to buy only hens but most people can’t tell the gender of a chick/duckling until it is full grown. The ducklings may be male or female. Specialists in the industry are trained to “sex” chicks to determine their gender in order to fulfill orders for egg laying chicks.

What type of lamp should I use to keep the chicks warm? Any lamp that can shine into the box and keep the chicks warm without creating a fire hazard is acceptable. A desk lamp with an incandescent bulb usually works. Make sure you can feel heat from the bulb. Another option is a simple clamp light which will easily accommodate a heat lamp bulb. Both can be purchased from a hardware store for $4 – $8 each. You can see what it looks like ​here​ on Amazon. ​Heat lamp bulbs​ can be red or white.

Is an LED light good enough? No. LEDs do not emit infrared radiation, which is what feels warm.

Is a space heater good enough? If you can keep the inside of the box 90 degrees F without creating a fire hazard.

Do we need an incandescent light if the box is kept overnight in the house (vs. the garage?) Yes. You need to keep the temperature in the box close to 90 degrees F. I doubt you keep your house that warm. Some participants keep their chicks in a utility room or garage. That’s fine as long as they are safe and warm.

What type of box is provided? It’s a large, brown cardboard box which you can recycle after returning the chicks. If the box is not sufficient for your needs you can use another container of your choice. I’ve seen people use rubbermaid storage bins or even large hamster cages.

Can they hop out of the box? After a week or so, chicks will be able to fly out of the box. Participants have solved this problem by using a bigger container or putting something over the box. You may return your foster birds to the farm whenever they become too much trouble. You do not have to keep them a full 2 weeks.

Do you have chick-warming lights, water/food dispensers that we could rent? We do not have equipment for you to rent, however, most of the things you need to use are already in your home. If you would like to purchase specific chick feeders and warming lights you may easily purchase from amazon or a hardware store. Here is an inexpensive example of a ​chick waterer​; and a ​chick feeder​.

Would you take our chick water/feed bottles when we’re done? Certainly. If you would like to donate any warming lamps, bulbs, chick feeders, or chick waterers to the farm we’ll be happy to take them.

How much should I feed them each day? You should make sure that they have food available in their dish at all times. They have tiny digestive systems and poop often so they need to be able to refill frequently.

What else can they eat besides the provided feed? The organic chick feed is the perfect diet for them and they don’t need anything else. A few vegetable scraps won’t hurt them. Because they are intended to be organically raise by us, please do not purchase other food (pet food, non-organic chick feed, etc.) If you need more food we are happy to provide it for you – just come to the farm to pick it up for no charge.

What kind of bedding should I use? We will start you with several layers of newspaper in your box. Newspaper and paper towels are great because they are absorbent, easily changed, inexpensive, and difficult for the chicks to eat. Wood shavings are easily eaten by the chicks not recommended. Chicks will try to eat almost anything they see so be careful – don’t let them fill their little stomachs with inedible objects.

Do you have a photo of what the typical setup might look like? Yes. There are photos of various foster chick set ups in our Foster A Chick chat group on Telegram. Please join this group to see various ideas.

Will they require any special or extra care in the middle of the night? No. Just make sure they have plenty of food and water before you go to bed for the night.

Do chicks sleep? Yes, they nap often just like all baby animals. But they don’t know night from day. You will hear them “peep” at night. If their peeping is quite loud, it is because they need something – so check their food, water or heat right away.

Should the chicks be allowed to run around the house (supervised) or might they poop everywhere? They will poop everywhere so that is up to you. Your job is to keep them safe.

Can they be played with outside? After they are a few days old they can regulate their body temperature better. As long as you closely supervise the chicks to keep them safe they may be taken outdoors on a warm day.

Will my chicks stay healthy the whole time we have them & is there anything we need to know to ensure their proper growth? Most of the chicks will stay healthy the whole time. However, as with all animals, a few may be weaker than the others. If you notice a chick that is panting, drooping or not active (other than when it sleeps), or not eating or drinking, there may be a problem.

What can be done if a chick seems to not be acting well? There are only a few things that can be done and there is no guarantee that extra care will result in a recovery.

1. Remove the unwell chick from it’s companion so that it won’t get picked on. Put it in a separate box with food, water and a lamp.
2. Use a dropper to feed it water.
3. If it is shivering, put it under the heat lamp. If it is panting, move it further away from the light.
4. Check on the unwell chick/duckling frequently.
5. If you do not want to try to care for a chick you think is unwell, you may bring it back to the farm. ​Message me​ for the fastest response.
6. If the chick recovers, you may allow it to rejoin its companion.
7. If the chick dies, there is no extra charge. We understand that sometimes weaker animals don’t make it but we are sorry that your family experienced it. Try to use the experience to teach your children about the life and death that is normal to all nature.

How loud are the chicks? You’ll find that the chick make a gentle “peeping” noise most of the time they are awake. If their “peeping” gets loud it usually means they need food, water or are frightened.

Can I get a smaller or large size chick? I’m sorry. We don’t have much variation in size.

Can I get a chick of a different color? I’m sorry. All the chicks are the same breed and are mostly the same color.

What happens to the chicks when they return to the farm? We will house them in a sheltered area for a couple more weeks until they are strong enough to live outside full time. Then they will live on the farm until they reach maturity. The chicks will be full grown when they are about 10 weeks old.

Care instructions? Here is a ​pdf download​ of care instructions.

Can we post pictures of them on social media? Of course. We’d love for you to tag #willowhavenfarm and #fosterachick so we can see your posts too!

Return instructions? I’ll be sending return instructions in a future email.

How and when do I pick up my chicks? That will be in the next email.

I hope this info is helpful as you prepare for your fostering experience.

See you soon!

Tessa DeMaster and the Farm Kids

​​Willow Haven Farm​​ ​​

Directions to the farm

I learned later that Reuben and I had witnessed the traditional way of making scrapple in the woods over a fire by cooking down the bones in the cauldron.

I was definitely an outsider in this bunch of old deer hunting buddies, being the only woman present most of the time.

Growing up as the only girl with four brothers, I’ve always been comfortable with “the guys.” I’m wise enough to know though, that “the guys” elevate their language and manners when “a lady is present.”

The hands on education was incredible – I learned so much.

• Pig brains are the size of a golf ball!
• Band saws cut bones like they cut wood.
• Five pigs is too many to do in one weekend – even with five guys and one lady
• An electric hand drill with paddle attached is great for stirring large quantities of food.
• Scrapple is made from bone broth.

Let’s Talk Bone Broth

Making broth from a turkey carcass at thanksgiving or from a whole chicken for chicken soup shouldn’t be a new idea for most cooks. Cooking the last of the meat until it falls off the bones is a great way to get more value from your meat purchase and to have the best flavor for your soups and gravies.

Understanding that actual nutrition comes from the bones of the well raised animal is a revelation to many.

Let’s talk about bone broth and give you the perfect recipe to get you started using any type of bones.

Steeped in tradition and backed by emerging scientific research, bone broth is a foundational element in promoting gut health and alleviating symptoms of chronic health conditions.

Understanding Bone Broth

Bone broth is a rich, flavorful, liquid crafted from simmering animal bones, connective tissues, and aromatic vegetables in water over a prolonged period. This gentle simmering process releases collagen, gelatin, amino acids, minerals, and other bioactive compounds, which imbue bone broth with its nutritional density.

Collagen, the primary structural protein found in bones, tendons, and ligaments, serves as the cornerstone of bone broth’s nutritional profile. As the bones simmer, collagen breaks down into gelatin, a substance known to support joint health, promote skin elasticity, and fortify the intestinal lining.

Amino acids in good quality bone broth, such as glycine, proline, and glutamine, play important roles in immune modulation, tissue repair, and gut integrity.

The Potential of Bone Broth for Gut Health

Many families turn to bone broth when dealing with food allergies, sensory and behavioral disorders which can be symptoms called “leaky gut.”

The gelatinous liquid formed during the simmering process soothes the intestinal lining, aiding in the repair of damaged epithelial cells and reducing gut permeability. Research suggests that gelatin and collagen supplementation may mitigate symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as leaky gut syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), offering relief to those grappling with chronic digestive disturbances.

Inflammation is usually present with these health issues.  The good news is that the amino acid profile of bone broth, particularly glycine and glutamine, exerts profound anti-inflammatory effects within the gut.

Amino acids foster an environment conducive to healing and alleviate harmful immune reactions. By nourishing the gut microbiome and bolstering mucosal immunity, bone broth serves as a cornerstone in restoring balance and resilience to the digestive tract.

Addressing Chronic Health Conditions with Bone Broth

Emerging research suggests that the bioactive compounds found in bone broth, including glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and hyaluronic acid, may exert protective effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Collagen, in particular, serves as a critical component in supporting joint health, cartilage integrity, and connective tissue function.

By replenishing the body’s stores of collagen through regular consumption of bone broth, individuals with arthritis, rheumatoid conditions, and joint pain may experience improvements in mobility, flexibility, and overall quality of life.

Old Timers & Bone Broth

I doubt that the fathers and grandfathers of yesteryear knew the health benefits of simmering bones, organs and meat scraps from butchering their animals.

Rather, it was always a way of not wasting and being frugal with what you spent time and energy raising for your family.

Here’s my description of how scrapple can be a Superfood rather than a guilty pleasure.

Tips for Using Bone Broth Daily

Integrating bone broth into your diet can be simple and enjoyable.

Here are several ways to start:

1. Begin your day with a nourishing cup of bone broth as a warming, morning ritual.
2. Use bone broth as a flavorful base for soups and stews.
3. When making gravy, white sauce or cream sauce add bone broth
4. Experiment with different herbs, spices, and vegetables to customize your bone broth to suit you.
5. Substitute bone broth for water or stock in recipes for added benefit.
6. Eat Scrapple from Willow Haven Farm

Farm Family Hack

We use bone broth when making rice or polenta, instead of water.

What Bones Should I Use?

When finishing dinner the kids will often remember to ask, “Mom, where do you want the bones?”

If I’ve served pork chops, chicken, ham, duck or a bone in roast, I’ll always tell them to put them in the soup pot, or the Instantpot.

What bones can you use for bone broth? The answer is any bones: large or small, many or few.

But of course, using the the best quality raised animals is the most important.

Conventional, mass produced, feed lot meat will not have the quality or quantity of collagen and other nutrients that will enable healing.

Even if you have a bone broth recipe, download this new recipe for Healing Bone Broth with Any Bones.

This bone broth recipe will:

• extract minerals from the bones with vinegar
• suggest the vegetables to add for mineral absorption
• guide your water choice when making broth
• storage tips
• suggest how to extract quality cooking fat from your broth

Download Recipe

As Always…

We support your desire to have a good, healthy way of life and food on your table that supports that goal.

We’ll keep farming for you!

Reuben and Tessa DeMaster
Willow Haven Farm

Download Recipe

P.S. The Farm store is open on Saturday to help you stock up on eggs, milk, cheese, vegetables, natural cleaners, home remedies and more.

Open this weekend!

Market Hours: Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Be Inspired by Your Farm Community!

​You can find out about the Foster a Chick Experience and get on our waiting list HERE.

Disclaimer: Willow Haven Farm and our associates are not medical professionals, and the information provided is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Reliance on any information provided by Willow Haven Farm and our associates is solely at your own risk.

Visiting the kitties on Grandma’s doorstep is a highlight of her day – multiples times. She knows when new ones are born and who the momma cats are.

No one knew how the kitten’s eye got hurt but our little farm girl gave it extra care and reported to her grandma all about it.

But eventually, that little kitten died. It wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was that kitten’s turn to go.

It’s Okay

All our farm kids experience moments that teach them that when animals die, they don’t come back… but it’s ok. And it’s okay to be sad. That’s an important thing to know.

But they also know that new animals are born – quite often, in fact. And that is so exciting. It’s fun to visit the baby animals and see how they grow so quickly. Their antics are entertaining as they jump and run and push each other around.

It’s Real so Pay Attention

Life and death are realities. On a farm you have to pay attention to those realities daily and sometimes hourly.

Are there tender seedlings in the greenhouse? Let’s make sure the greenhouse won’t freeze overnight.

Is it bright and sunny? Let’s make sure the greenhouse doors are open and the fans are on so it doesn’t get too hot and bake the plants.

Oh, and those seedlings have to be watered 2 – 4 x per day depending on the weather.

Is it cold, snowy and below freezing? Let’s make sure the pigs and cows have water to drink. Liquid water. They can’t drink ice.

Farmer Reuben is doing all the chores by himself this week and he just told me about a problem with the pig waterer that I wanted to check out.  I wasn’t sure if the pigs would come near me to try the snack I brought them.

Life is Full of Hope

But let’s talk about new life.

Planting seeds for a garden is an act of faith and hope. You don’t control what happens exactly but you rely on providing the right conditions for those seeds to sprout under the damp, warm potting soil until the first curled stem emerges filled with the bright green chlorophyl it needs to grow more leaves.

Ω Newborn calves are expected this spring because only momma cows give milk. They give milk so generously that they can feed a calf for months and still give extra to the farmer.

⊥ New blades of grass emerging from the cold, brown earth are a signal the farmer anxiously awaits so that the cows can begin grazing on nutrient rich, fresh grass and stop feeding dry hay. That’s when the cow’s milk increases in quantity and is full of yellow butter fat.

⊗ We’ll hear the cows mooing in the barnyard as they smell the new tender grass in the pasture but the farmer can’t let them graze until that grass is several inches high. So the cows and farmer will wait. And wait. Waiting for the sun, the rain and the earth to do their work.

Θ Piglets are born to sows and wiggle through the first weeks of life until they start exploring. Soon they’ll need to be contained by fences so they don’t devour the newly planted lettuce and kale in the vegetable fields.

ℑ And those farm cats always have their litters of kittens in Grandpa’s shed or on Grandma’s stoop on Mother’s Day weekend.

All this excitement of new life happens under our noses here on the farm.

It’s Your Turn to Pay Attention to Life

But what about you? What will you see?

If you pay attention you’ll see new buds on the trees in your yard and along the road. Your lawn beginning to turn green. Your garden seedlings in the window sill growing taller. Your crocus and daffodils putting up the their green leaves.

But what if you could be a farmer for a day or a week and take care of new baby animal?

Wouldn’t that make you feel connected to spring and to life in a whole new way?

Take an egg out of the refrigerator and hold it. What’s inside?

In our chicken coop, the eggs we collect are full of potential. Most of the time they are meant to be collected everyday, put in a carton and used to make delicious omelettes, scrambles, quiches, creamy pies and fluffly cakes.

But given the right conditions, that egg will hatch into a chick.

Every spring though, we order newly hatched chicks from a hatchery farm to increase our aging flock of hens. The hatchery is in charge of getting the genetics and hatching conditions just right for the healthiest chickens to send to farms all over the region.

I can’t imagine being in a hatchery. Can you imagine a place where baby chickens, ducklings, goslings, guinea keats, turkey poults, peafowl are hatching every day, all day long? If you view this short hatchery tour video, you’ll see that it looks more like a warehouse than a farm.

We are one of the farms that receives our chicks through the mail from the post office. We usually get two boxes of one hundred loudly peeping chicks and then it’s our turn to make sure they are well taken care of.

Life is a Great Teacher

Or it’s your turn! Did you know you can help us raise our day old chicks for a couple weeks?

As soon as our chicks arrive there will be about one hundred local families that line up to pick out their special pair to take home.

They’ll learn that they have to pay attention to the details to keep their chicks warm, watered and well fed.

• Don’t let them get too warm.
• Don’t let them get too cold.
• Don’t let them spill their water and get too thirsty.

But don’t worry. Just like all babies, they will cry loudly to let you know something is wrong.

That’s what the loud peeping is meant to do. To remind you to check on the baby farm friends that you are fostering for Farmer Reuben.

Winter is Waiting for Spring

Peep! Peep!  Baby farm animals don’t care if there is snow on the ground or flowers budding on the trees.

When they are hatched or born they just need to be fed and kept warm.

While we are getting ready for the seedlings and baby animals that will be arriving in the coming weeks, you can get ready for fostering chicks with your family, classroom, community group or senior home.

You can find out about the Foster a Chick Experience and get on our waiting list HERE. 

As Always…

We support your desire to have a good, healthy way of life and food on your table that supports that goal.

We’ll keep farming for you!
Reuben and Tessa DeMaster