Every three weeks, Jay and Cindy Wisdom drive from their Colorado farm to Iowa and hand pick baby chicks
from a family-owned hatchery. It takes them 24 hours, but it's the only way they can make sure the chicks are
handled properly. "We want absolute control of our poultry from the time they are chicks right up to the time
we deliver them to our customers" explained Jay. "We receive a lot of good comments about the flavors of our
chickens and eggs. It's because we don't stress them, we keep them happy, and feed them well," he added.
Wisdom's Natural Poultry doesn't use any hormones, antibiotics, or preservatives, and butchering is done right
there on the farm. "About 10 years ago, we put in our own USDA processing plant just so our chickens don't
have to travel and experience stress," said Jay. "Our chickens are processed that day and put in the freezer that
night. No one has a chance to handle them or abuse them. It's hard work," he added, but it's the only way he can
assure a quality product. Wisdom's chickens are grain-fed and have full access to roam outside. "The hens love
it," said Jay. "They run around outside in the evening and eat bugs. But they like it cool and prefer to stay
indoors during the day," he added. Wisdom raises the Cornish Rock broiler for eating, pullets for laying, and
gathers all their eggs by hand.
A third-generation poultry farmer, Jay lives in the house he grew up in and jokes that he's only moved 100 feet
his whole life. "Granddad bought the farm back in the '30s, dad bought it from him, and I bought it from dad,"
he shared. When high school sweethearts Cindy and Jay got married, they lived in a trailer in the back yard, and
moved into the house when they bought the farm. Jay's father, now 91, lives in town but still visits the farm and
helps with the business, as does Jay's 85-year-old mother. Daughters Jennifer (16) and Megan (13) work on the
farm and at Wisdom's Boulder Market booth when they don't have school activities. "We're a true farm family,"
said Jay. "The girls enjoy the market and they like to see their friends. They've been doing it since they were
little, and being 4th generation means a lot to them," added Cindy.
Jay and Cindy started selling Wisdom's Natural Poultry at the Boulder Farmers' Market six years ago and credit
the market for much of their business' growth. "The farmers' market has been a huge success for us. It's been a
stepping-stone to meet our chefs and restaurants, got us a good start, and built a strong customer base," said
Wisdom. Jay also volunteers on the Markets' Board of Directors and is currently serving his second term.
Find Wisdom's Natural Poultry at the Boulder Market all season long.