Tracing Back to Our Roots: The Legacy of Ethan's Chicken Farm

From a young boy's dream to a thriving family farm, the story of Ethan’s Chicken Farm is nothing short of inspiring. At just 10 years old, Ethan was captivated by the idea of experiencing the majestic “Great Migration” in Africa. To turn this vision into reality, and with his mom's guidance in a unique homeschool project, he embarked on an organic chicken venture, selling fresh eggs. Beginning with a modest group of 8 chickens, Ethan's enterprise quickly took flight. However, as the business expanded, their Los Angeles suburban home became too cramped for the burgeoning flock. Embracing change, the family invested in a vast 20-acre plot in the picturesque Three Rivers, CA, near the awe-inspiring Sequoia National Park. Their love for the land didn't stop there; they soon added another 60 acres, laying the foundation for their dream farm. As time went on, Ethan's interests evolved, leading him to a newfound passion for reptiles and amphibians. This shifted his travel aspirations from Africa to the lush rainforests of Costa Rica. Fueled by his successful chicken business, he realized this dream, journeying to Costa Rica with his family. Meanwhile, inspired by Ethan's achievements, his sister Aaliyah embarked on her own goat enterprise further contributing to the evolution of Matanah Meadows into the enchanting farm it is today. Come join us and engage yourself in our journey!

The Superior Nutrition of Our Free-Range Eggs

If you've ever cracked open one of our pastured free-range organic eggs next to a standard store-bought one, you've probably noticed the difference right away. Our yolks are a vibrant, deep orange, a sign of superior nutrition! Unlike the pale yolks you might find in the supermarket, our hens roam free in our lush pastures, munching on a natural diet full of goodies. This not only makes their eggs taste amazing but also packs them with extra nutrients and health benefits. So, next time you enjoy breakfast at our farm, know you're getting a delicious and healthier start to your day.

From Road Trips to Roosting: Our Renovated Travel Trailer Coop

Have you ever seen a travel trailer turned chicken coop? That's our unique spin on sustainable farming here at Matanah Meadows. In our quest to embrace regenerative agriculture, we've adopted rotational grazing. It's all about giving our land some rest, moving our feathered friends around to prevent overgrazing and letting the earth rejuvenate. This not only keeps our grass green but also lets our chickens play their natural role, scratching away pests and blending in the manure. And the travel trailer? Inspired by some crafty Pinterest ideas, we gave it a makeover into a mobile chicken mansion. Inside the renovated interior, they eat and lay their eggs and sleep on custom perch bars. Not only does it make moving our flock a breeze, but its bright sunny yellow color also adds a cheerful touch to our farm. Come see our “Chick Wagon” and join in the sustainable fun!

Meet Jellybean!

“What is that?” is the most common exclamation when a guest first sees Jellybean.

Jellybean is a tiny black Silkie. Silkie chickens are a native to Asia and are renown for having black skin, organs and meat throughout. Another key feature that sets them apart from conventional poultry is that their feathers lack barbs and so have a silkie fur-like texture. They make exemplary mothers and step up often as surrogates in place of an artificial egg incubator. With an innate ability to tenderly adopt any egg, they readily sit on any species of eggs given to them, including duck, guinea fowl, peafowl, etc. As a witness to their extraordinary abilities, Jellybean and her friend, Wobbles, co-parented a mixed brood of chicks and peachicks. They took the notion of the “modern family” to another level! As you explore the Farm, see if you can spot this charming and docile little friend and see if she will come up to you for a warm connection in search of tasty treats!

Our Farm's Proud Peacocks

Have you ever wondered why we have peacocks strutting around Matanah Meadows? Not only are they a feast for the eyes with their gorgeous feathers, but these large birds also serve as nature's very own pest controllers, eating a wide range of pesky insects. They are also our farm's natural alarm system, announcing both friendly visitors and unexpected guests with their unmistakable calls. Additionally, breeding these magnificent birds offers another avenue of sustainability, as their sought-after chicks fetch a premium in the poultry market. See if you can spot Squidward, the free roaming male. He is more tame than the others because he was raised by a tiny friendly chicken hen. For a long time, he identified as a chicken, spending all of his free time with the flock of laying hens! So, the next time you are enchanted by the beauty of our Peacocks, remember that they are not merely ornamental; they play a pivotal role in the harmony and prosperity of Matanah Meadows Farm.

The Delightful Ducks

Have you noticed our quacking buddies waddling around our farm, with all the ducks in a row? Those are our hardworking ducks, nature's little pest busters. With an insatiable appetite, they're like mini vacuum cleaners, gobbling up all sorts of unwanted critters from slugs to cockroaches. The talents of our ducks don't stop there! For those with a discerning palate, duck eggs stand out, being larger and richer than their chicken counterparts. As these ducks roam and forage, their dabbling actions naturally aerate the soil, enhancing its health and structure, making their eggs not only a culinary delight but also invaluable contributors to our farm's vitality. If you take a closer look, some of our ducks are smaller than the others. The small ducks are Australian Spotted Ducks which are critically endangered with less than 1000 in the global population! We are doing our part to help preserve this unique breed of fowl.

Nature's Watchdogs: The Guineafowl

At Matanah Meadows, our guineas are more than just eye-catching birds with their distinctive spotted feathers. They are invaluable members of our farm family, celebrated for their expertise in pest control. With a hearty appetite, they tirelessly search for ticks, fleas, beetles, and other nuisances, playing an essential role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. We have seen a distinct reduction especially in our tick and scorpion populations after adding these unusual birds to our menagerie. Beyond their appetite for pests, they are known to deter and even confront smaller snakes, adding an extra layer of protection to our farm. Always on the alert, guineas are also our farm's natural alarm system, sounding their loud and unmistakable call at the slightest hint of disturbance, ensuring we are always aware of potential intruders or threats. It is the females that you will most likely notice making their distinctive calls. Flock of these roaming birds are most fascinating to watch with their ever-unfolding drama of love and battle. With their expert foraging abilities and minimal care requirements compared to other poultry, guineas are both a practical and visually captivating addition to our farm.

Step into the enchanting world of our Farm, where a diverse cast of feathered actors awaits to captivate you in a unique and dramatic poultry soap opera!

 FAQs

  • The flying ducks can easily fly away during their routine daily aerial excursions. However, they choose to return and stay because they were hatched here, feel safe, have a mate, and have an easy source of food. They have no need for anything more; it is an easy life with minimal risk.

  • The different egg shell colors of the chickens are a reflection of the various type of chicken breeds that we have. For example, a blue egg is characteristic of an Ameraucana chicken or Easter Egger. Our darkest brown colored egg is laid by our French Black Copper Maran hens. This breed lays the darkest brown shelled eggs available. Green shelled eggs come from the hybrid of a blue egg breed and a dark brown egg breed, resulting in a hen described as an Olive Egger.

  • He is trying to get the attendtion of the female peahens. They are attracted to the vibarions that are made when the males shake their feathers. These vibrations are received and sensed by the small iconic feathers that are on the top of their heads.

  • Sure! Just ask permission and we will be more than happy to give you a feather. It is important to know that it causes harm to the peacock if feathers are pulled directly from his body. It causes him to bleed. But, in August you will see many feathers all over the ground. This is when the males annually drop all of their “train” feathers in a molt. They will drop about 300 feathers! After about a month or two, you will start to see the regrowth of those fancy feathers.