Our first field trip as a class was to an organic chicken farm. I had never been to a chicken production farm before but had seen some on tv so I was interested in seeing one in real life. Ms. Cartanza’s poultry farm consists of multiple houses in which she grows approximately 160 thousand chickens at a time. As we were still on the bus we put on sterile shoe covers and jumpsuits to prevent us from bringing any diseases into the chickens’ living area. We learned that modern technology allowed Ms. Cartanza to operate her farm on her own with some help from a few hired staff or her children.

Being an organic farm the chickens had some things that non-organic ones would not have. The organic chickens have bully boxes, ramps, and other enhancements to entertain themselves. They are allowed outside and have shade while out there. Some of the things they share with their non-organic counterparts are a constant wind tunnel of air creating a nice breeze and keeping the chickens cool. They also get unlimited 24/7 food and water.

I learned a lot from going to Ms. Cartanza’s farm and I hope to go on to teach others the things I discovered on this field trip.