©Copyright - Harker’s Farm Shop 2009 Poultry Chicken Our chickens are either reared on our own farm or supplied by Ruskington Poultry, a family owned business based in Lincolnshire. They are affiliated to ‘Assured Chicken Production’ an independent body that develops and maintains high standards for poultry. They are reared within the R.S.P.C.A ‘freedom food’ guide lines.   Free Range Chickens These are also reared on our own farm or supplied by Ruskington Poultry (see above). They are reared at further reduced stocking densities and have access to pasture during day light hours. Farm Fresh English Turkeys We rear our own turkeys on our farm at Clipston on the Wolds. These are often hatched out in our own incubator. The rest are reared from two week old chicks. They are housed in spacious, airy barns on straw bedding at a low stocking rate giving each bird plenty of room to move around. We are licensed to slaughter the turkeys on site ensuring no ‘food miles’ are produced.   Duck Our ducks are either reared on our farm or supplied by Gressingham Duck, a family business who are dedicated to the welfare of the poultry that they rear.   Duck is often thought as a difficult bird to cook but in reality it is no more complicated than a chicken. Some may be put off by the fact that it is a fattier meat than chicken. The trick is to cook it on a rack over a roasting tray and regularly pour the fat off during cooking. This makes great fat for roasting the potatoes in! Goose The geese that we sell are either reared on our own farm or are from Gressingham, a family business who are dedicated to the poultry that they rear. Goose is making a definite comeback as a traditional alternative to turkey for Christmas Day dinner. Like duck, it is not difficult to cook, but just make sure you place it on a rack over a roasting tin and drain the fat off during cooking and save it to roast your potatoes. Quail (small wild bird)  and Poussin (young spring chicken) These are usually available frozen. Notice may be required for fresh birds Guinea Fowl These are reared on our own farm and can often be seen roaming freely around the farm yard. Guinea fowl makes a great alternative to chicken. Its golden flesh has a delicate flavour which can be described as somewhere between chicken and game. It is an excellent alternative to red meat as it is low in calories and fat.   Guinea fowl facts:-                         Low in cholesterol                         Contains more protein than red meat                         Contains three times the iron content of fish                         Rich in vitamin B6, selenium and niacin