We are a family operation based on our microfarm in Cissna Park, IL. In 2019 we purchased our first chickens. We had recently purchased our property and decided to put the newly cleaned out barn to use. That first batch of birds we raised for ourselves and close friends and family. We were all amazed at the quality of the meat. It was far better tasting than any chicken we had ever had. After raising a few more batches of chickens for ourselves and family, we thought we were capable of expanding our efforts. We started this business in 2020 after seeing a need in the area for quality, locally produced, healthy poultry products. We raise all of our poultry without ANY use of antibiotics, hormones, steroids, or animal byproducts, EVER. Our poultry are provided a nutrient dense, vegetarian diet that we source from a feed mill less than half a mile away. They are raised in our barn on bedding that we redress daily to keep them clean and healthy. Fresh clean water is always available to them as well. On top of this, we allow our laying birds and turkeys to range on our pasture paddocks during the day. Here they can graze the forage, eat bugs, scratch the dirt, rest, play, etc. You know, poultry things! At night we secure them in the barn to protect them from nocturnal predators. We believe all of these practices lead to healthy, happy animals which in turn leads to the best tasting meat and eggs.

We absolutely love being able to produce our own food and being able to provide it to others as well. In 2021 we increased the size of our garden in order to be able to provide our customers quality local produce in addition to our chicken products.  On top of this, in the spring 2021 we planted fruit trees, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and asparagus. Now these plants will take time to produce, but we hope to have a wide assortment of produce to share with our customers. In total we have around 1/2 acre in vegetable and fruit production.

We try to be as transparent as possible in our production practices. If there is anything you have a question on, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We can be reached by phone at 815-584-6745, by email at duchickranch@gmail.com, or on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DuChickRanch