Bradley Farming

ABC Farm is a historic farm on Beaver Point on Saltspring Island and has been raising lambs and chickens for over three decades. We specialize in heritage breeds and our farm is completely organic.

Lamb

We offer Cotswold lamb, a historic breed that is currently on the ‘threatened’ list. It is available on a seasonal basis, for $6.50 per pound if you purchase a whole lamb, or various prices if you purchase by the piece. Let us know if you’d like to be added to our mailing list to inform you when meat will be available.

About the Breed
The Cotswold is a longwool sheep breed developed on the Cotswold Hills in the west of England. Sheep have been known in this region since the time of the Roman conquest 2,000 years ago, and the Cotswold breed may descend in part from the white sheep brought to England by the Romans.

The Cotswold breed was the foundation for the economic development of the Cotswold region, which is marked by “wool” churches and estates. Wool profits also financed the exploration and trade expansion of the British Empire beginning in the Elizabethan Era to such an extent that even today the British Chancellor of the Exchequer sits on a ceremonial Cotswold wool sack.

 

Chicken

We raise Icelandic chickens and offer whole birds frozen year round, and periodically have fresh birds for sale. Price is $6.50 per pound, with a 10% discount for those purchasing five or more birds. Let us know if you’d like to be added to our mailing list to inform you when fresh birds are  available.

About the Breed
Icelandic chickens originated with the settlement of Iceland in the tenth century by the Norse, who brought their farmstead chickens with them. (In Iceland they are known as Íslenska landnámshænan or “Icelandic chicken of the settlers.”) Over the centuries, selection favored breeders capable of feeding themselves on Icelandic smallholdings, and hens with reliable mothering skills. The result was a landrace of active, naturally healthy fowl adapted to harsh conditions, on the small side (mature cocks weigh 4½ to 5¼ pounds; hens, 3 to 3½ pounds), with good egg production, even in winter.

The term “landrace” means that these chickens were selected all over Iceland for the same suite of utilitarian traits—but not to conform to a specific breed standard. Thus a flock of Icelandics is a visual kaleidoscope, showing every feather color and pattern, both single and rose comb styles, and various shank colors. Some birds, both hens and cocks, sport crests of feathers on the head, while others do not. (True Icelandics will not, however, show any feathering on the leg, nor a “muff” or “beard” or ear tufts. Face patches range from white to light lemon yellow, but are never red.)

Find Us

We are at the end of Beaver Point Road on Saltspring Island, about 15 minutes from the Fulford Harbour ferry terminal.