At Copper Run Homestead, our chickens are raised outdoors on fresh pasture, not confined inside crowded barns. Pasture raised means our birds have access to grass, sunshine, fresh air, bugs, and room to move naturally.

They are protected in mobile chicken tractors, which allows them to safely forage while also keeping them protected from predators.

Moved to Fresh Grass Daily

Our chicken tractors are moved to fresh grass every day. This gives the birds a clean area to scratch, peck, and forage while naturally fertilizing the pasture behind them.

Daily moves help keep the birds healthier, cleaner, and more comfortable throughout their growing season.

Non-Medicated Feed

Our chickens are fed Kalmbach non-medicated feed along with what they naturally forage from the pasture.

We do not use medicated feed, and our birds are never given antibiotics unless medically necessary.

Never Raised in Crowded Barns

Our chickens are raised in small batches on pasture. They are not raised in large commercial barns where thousands of birds are packed together.

We believe animals should be raised with care, space, fresh air, and respect.

Why This Benefits the Birds and the Customer

For the birds, pasture raising allows a more natural life with sunshine, movement, fresh grass, and daily care.

For our customers, it means a better quality chicken raised locally by a family you can know and trust. Our chickens are flavorful, nutrient-dense, and raised with transparency from start to finish.

We're Rafe and Tylor, a husband and wife team with a passion for raising honest, high quality food and sharing it with our community.

Like many families, we wanted to know exactly where our food came from and how it was raised. We were looking for a better alternative to grocery store meat. Something we could feel proud to serve our own family. That journey sparked a dream that eventually became Copper Run Homestead.

What started as a desire to raise our own food quickly grew into a passion for helping others enjoy the same peace of mind. Today, we're proud to provide locally raised, pasture raised chicken to families who value quality, transparency, and supporting local agriculture.

Every chicken we raise is cared for from the day it arrives until harvest. Because we're a small family farm, we know our animals, monitor them every day, and take pride in doing things the right way, not the easiest way.

Our goal has never been to become the biggest farm. Our goal is to raise food we're proud to put on our own dinner table and to build lasting relationships with the families who trust us to feed theirs.

Life on the Farm

When you buy from Copper Run Homestead, you're supporting a real family, not a large corporation.

Every day, you'll find us working together to care for our flock. That means moving chicken tractors to fresh pasture, filling feeders and waterers, checking on every bird, maintaining our equipment, preparing for harvest, and constantly improving our farm. From the first day old chicks to harvest weekend, we're involved every step of the way.

We love sharing behind the scenes moments because we believe you should know the people raising your food.

Our Commitment to Raising Food the Right Way

At Copper Run Homestead, we believe raising food is a responsibility.

Our commitment is simple:

Raise our chickens on fresh pasture with daily moves.

Provide clean water and quality non-medicated feed every day.

Treat our animals with care and respect throughout their lives.

Raise birds in small batches so every flock receives individual attention.

Be transparent about how our food is raised.

Continue learning and improving our farming practices every season.

We don't believe in shortcuts. We believe that healthier animals, thoughtful stewardship, and hard work produce food you can feel good about serving your family.

When you purchase from Copper Run Homestead, you're not just buying chicken, you're supporting local agriculture, sustainable farming practices, and a family committed to doing things with honesty, integrity, and care.

Thank you for trusting us to be a part of your family's table. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to serving you for many years to come.

How much does a chicken weigh?

Our whole chickens typically weigh around 7–10 pounds each, though exact weights can vary slightly by bird and harvest.

How much meat does one chicken feed?

One whole chicken can usually feed a family for several meals, depending on your household size. Many customers roast the whole bird, then use leftovers for soups, salads, casseroles, tacos, broth, or meal prep. We get 16 meals out if it for the 2 of us.

How is the chicken packaged?

Our chickens are sold whole and packaged for freezer storage. Each bird is individually bagged and labeled with its final weight.

Is the chicken fresh or frozen?

Pickup usually takes place during harvest weekend. Depending on pickup timing, chickens may be fresh or chilled at pickup. Any remaining inventory may be frozen.

How long does it last in the freezer?

For best quality, we recommend using frozen whole chickens within 6–12 months. Keeping the chicken frozen solid and properly packaged helps maintain quality.

How do I thaw it?

The safest way to thaw a whole chicken is in the refrigerator. Because our birds are large, we recommend allowing 4 days for thawing.

Are there antibiotics or hormones?

Our chickens are not raised with added hormones. We also do not use antibiotics. Our goal is to raise healthy birds through fresh pasture, clean conditions, good feed, and daily care.

What breed do you raise?

We raise meat chickens specifically bred for high quality meat production. These birds grow efficiently and provide a large, flavorful whole chicken for your family.

Step 1: Reserve Online

Reserve the number of chickens you want for the announced harvest date on the contact form.

Step 2: Pay the Deposit

A deposit is required to hold your spot. This helps us plan accurately and reduces no-shows. After you click Reserve Now! You will be sent to Venmo to make your deposit payment. $20/chicken. In the notes add how many you ordered. The payment should account for each chicken reserved.

Step 3: Watch for Pickup Details

As harvest weekend gets closer, we will email or text pickup information, including the pickup day, time window, and payment details.

Step 4: Pay the Remaining Balance at Pickup

Your final balance is based on the finished weight of your chicken at $5.50 per pound, minus your deposit.

We accept cash, Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Chicken

Take your chicken home, cook it fresh or freeze it for later, and enjoy knowing exactly where your food came from.

For best results, thaw your chicken in the refrigerator for 4 days before cooking.

Always keep raw chicken separate from other foods, and wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling.

Cooking Temperature

Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast or thigh, avoiding the bone.

Tips for Roasting a Whole Chicken

Pat the chicken dry before seasoning.

Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, butter, or olive oil.

Roast breast-side up until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Let the chicken rest for 10–15 minutes before carving.

Save the bones to make homemade broth.

Favorite Ways to Use a Whole Chicken

Roasted whole chicken

Chicken piccata

Chicken noodle soup

Chicken and dumplings

Shredded chicken tacosl bowl

Chicken salad

Homemade bone broth

Chicken pot pie

Casseroles and meal prep bowls

One whole chicken can go a long way when you use the meat and bones fully.

We'd love to hear from you!

Whether you have questions about our pasture raised chickens, upcoming harvest dates, placing an order, or simply want to learn more about our farm, we're happy to help.

Have a question before ordering? Reach out anytime, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Ready to reserve your chicken? Visit our contact form page to see available harvest dates and secure your order online.

If you have questions about your pickup date or need to make changes to your reservation, please contact us as soon as possible so we can assist you.

copperrunhomestead@gmail.com

Connect With Us

Follow along on social media to see life on the farm, meet our flock, get cooking inspiration, and stay up to date on upcoming harvests and announcements.

Business Hours

Because we're a working farm, we may not always be able to answer immediately while caring for our animals. We strive to respond to all messages within 24–48 hours.

Thank you for supporting our family farm. Every purchase helps us continue raising high-quality, pasture-raised chicken with care, transparency, and respect for both our animals and our customers.

We look forward to hearing from you!