The chickens of Darby Farms

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Enclosures for the laying hens made from repurposed cotton wagons. The birds and the fencing move from place to place in the pasture, allowing the chickens to root for worms and grubs, eat grass seed and fertilize the grass without obliterating it.

Daniel Dover of Darby Farms holds an Australorp -- a breed of laying hen.

This Australorp chicken likes being held. Dover says the chickens, like people, are all different in this regard.

This enclosure holds baby chicks and ducks. The chicks arrive overnight, tightly packed in well ventilated boxes, from a breeder in Iowa.

Dover disposes of the chicks that die before reaching maturity in a deep litter compost pile.

Bruno the Great Pyrenees dog guards these chickens from predators.

Heritage breed pigs also have a place at Darby Farms, along with the chickens, ducks and turkeys. Dover is looking into adding a few head of cattle.

Dover holds a Freedom Ranger -- a meat bird that will spend nine to 10 weeks on the farm before butchering.

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Enclosures for the laying hens made from repurposed cotton wagons. The birds and the fencing move from place to place in the pasture, allowing the chickens to root for worms and grubs, eat grass seed and fertilize the grass without obliterating it.

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