June 02, 2025
MarketingOpinionStaticCommunity ContributedNewsSponsoredBusinessNewsletterFeaturesOnline NewspaperLivestockLocal EventsThank YouThank you Teachers

Birds of a feather flock at Five Hens Farm

Andrew Banks, Sarah Newman, their son, Otto, and dozens of broilers, layers, turkeys and soon some Berkshire mixed breed hogs make their home at Five Hen Farm in rural Union County. They sell their pasture-raised pork, poultry and eggs at the Carbondale and Old Feed Store (Cobden) farmers markets, LEAF Food Hub subscription sales and direct sales.

Andrew Banks, Sarah Newman, their son, Otto, and dozens of broilers, layers, turkeys and soon some Berkshire mixed breed hogs make their home at Five Hen Farm in rural Union County. They sell their pasture-raised pork, poultry and eggs at the Carbondale and Old Feed Store (Cobden) farmers markets, LEAF Food Hub subscription sales and direct sales.

Andrew built this “egg mobile” based on inspiration from similar designs. He can hitch it to his tractor and easily move it to a new field location in one hour.

These are Broad Breasted White turkeys, which can be prepared as whole birds, parts or ground meat. The farm also plans to sell the bones for stock.

Union County’s rolling hills are an ideal location for the movable turkey coop. This one Andrew designed himself. The white fencing is electrified and essential to keep away predators from the nearby Shawnee National Forest.

Two-year-old Otto loves to help on the farm, especially when it’s time to feed the chickens. These self-contained coops for the Cornish Cross broiler chickens also are portable but do not require fencing.