Whether you live in Chelsea or a rural township, raising chickens has become a popular hobby – especially with this winter’s rising cost of eggs.
Larry and Stephanie Doll started raising chickens after growing tired of driving around looking for fresh eggs. Since Larry’s family farm already had buildings suitable to raise poultry, in 2015 they launched Old Brick Farm, LLC at 17410 Heim Road in Sylvan Township. They sell not only chicken eggs but also duck eggs and whole chickens, ducks and turkeys as well.
Today they have about 350 chickens and 250 ducks. Turkeys arrive in July to be ready fresh for Thanksgiving. All their birds come through the mail as chicks from Townline Hatchery in Zeeland, Mich.
The egg laying flock has Isa Brown chickens, which Larry says are good layers, along with Amberlink and Light Brahma breeds, all brown egg layers. Their chicken eggs are $6 per dozen, while duck eggs are $7 per dozen.
Earlier this year they wanted to replace the “chicken tractor” used for meat chickens with one they saw at another location. They contacted the manufacturer – Superior Poultry Products in LaGrange, Ind. – and it turns out that the company was in search of a dealer for this area. The Dolls decided to become the Southeastern Michigan dealer for Alumi-Coops.
Alumi-Coops come in a wide range of sizes. They have four sizes in stock:
5×6 (5′ wide x 6′ long x 4′ high) 10-12 layers, 10-20 meat birds
6×10 (6′ wide x 10′ long x 5′ high) 24-30 layers, 24-30 meat birds
10×12 (10′ wide by 12′ long x 6′ high) 40-60 layers, 60-80 meat birds
12×12 (12’ wide by 12’ long and x 3’ high) 75-100 meat birds
The coops are built to last with a welded aluminum frame and heavy-duty vinyl cover and are easily moved with its wheel system. The smallest size is perfect for folks starting out in chickens with access to refill the waterer and feeder and to collect eggs from outside of the coop.
Old Brick Farm will be at some of the Saturday Chelsea Farmer’s Market dates this summer and has planned to display at the Chelsea Community Fair in August.
Anyone interested can contact Larry Doll at lddoll@gmail.com, 734-260-1540. You can also see the different sizes on display at 17410 Heim Road farm or on their website www.oldbrickfarm.net.
