Sponsor-A-Chick for a Unique Farm-to-Table Experience
- Nicole Russell
- May 1
- 3 min read
“We’re not just ‘raising’ chickens, though—we’re raising chickens differently. We’re raising chickens naturally, with a desire to give them as good a life as we have.”
– Amy Fewell, The Homesteader’s Natural Chicken Keeping Handbook
Do you love the idea of keeping chickens but have no idea how to start? Or maybe you live in an area that doesn’t allow you to keep chickens in your yard. For the first time this year, you can enjoy the experience of keeping chicks without the commitment of having them on your property! Follow along as chicks become chickens through Frederick County Homesteaders’ Sponsor-A-Chick program leading up to the Spring Farm Crawl on June 14th.
Meet the Chicks
The farm crawl chicks are a breed known as Cornish Cross, which are specifically bred for their meat. They grow faster than egg-layers and go from chicks to full-grown birds in just six to eight weeks.
Great news—these are not genetically modified chickens! They are hybrids, created through selective breeding choices, not DNA modification. This breed was developed in the 1950s by crossing two different breeds of chickens: the Cornish breed, known for being large and meaty, and the White Plymouth Rock breed, known for growing quickly. These chicks are also often referred to as broilers, roasters, or fryers.
Cornish Cross chickens can grow quite large. Each chick will eat 10 pounds of feed in their first five weeks of life. At maturity, they can weigh up to 10 pounds or more!
They like protein in their food, and require a feeding schedule to prevent them from eating non-stop. The chicks will eat so much (if allowed) that their bodies will grow too fast for their legs to support. They also need plenty of water and may even play in their water dishes if they’re feeling feisty.
Farm Life is a Great Life
The sponsored farm crawl chicks are enjoying life at Carter Hall Farm, a 53-acre historic farm in Frederick County, Virginia, the northernmost county of the Shenandoah Valley. The chicks are being raised with other historic breeds of livestock on the farm, including Hog Island sheep, Berkshire pigs, American Milking Devon cows, and Nigerian Dwarf goats.
The Brady family of Carter Hall employs the age-old principles of silvopasturing and managed, rotational grazing. By carefully moving the chickens daily and managing grazing of livestock, Carter Hall can support a larger number of animals while improving the land overall.
These chicks are enjoying bugs and fresh grass, but they’ve also graduated from chick starter feed to pasture poultry grower feed from Wholesome Harvest Feeds. This non-GMO feed is grown on a 7th generation farm in Maryland, and it is made from whole grain that is tested for glyphosate and sustainably produced. Only the best feed for our chicks!
Sponsor A Chick!
In addition to sponsoring the chicks, participants will receive weekly updates on the chickens’ growth and have the chance to visit the flock every Sunday. Families can see how chickens grow, how they’re cared for, and how they help feed our community.
This is a true farm-to-table experience! These chickens will provide the farm lunch at the June 14 Farm Crawl’s Lunch on the Lawn event. Sponsors can know that they helped bring humanely raised, nutritionally healthy chickens to everyone at the Farm Crawl.
Sponsor-a-Chick Info and Benefits
- For $12.99 per chick, you get weekly newsletter updates on the chicks and Sunday visits at historic Carter Hall Farm. Plus, you can check in on social media to see more frequent updates.
- Free individual Farm Crawl Ticket for June 14, 2025. That saves you $11 and brings the cost of sponsorship to just $1.99!
- 10% off two new workshops offered by FCH: the Chicken Processing Workshop (June) and the Chicken Bone Broth Workshop (July). These classes give a full farm-to-fork opportunity! You will watch the chickens grow, learn how they feed our community, and see how to make the most out of every part of the chicken.
Ready to sponsor a chick? Visit https://www.frederickcountyhomesteaders.com/product-page/adopt-a-chick and become a part of the farm experience today!
After you sponsor, you can plan your on-farm visit every Sunday any time from noon until four at Carter Hall Farm, 310 Carters Lane, Stephens City, Virginia 22655. Pick up some heritage beef or lamb and enjoy the views while you’re there.
DISCLAIMER:
This is a fundraiser. By participating, you will not receive an actual chick or chicken. Please note that the chickens involved in this fundraiser will be processed and served as part of the Farm Crawl’s Lunch on the Lawn event.
Inspired to learn more about the benefits of chicken ownership? Check out this informative article from Redfin about the reasons why chickens may be perfect for your homestead.
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