This is the second half of my photo essay detailing my visit to P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home at Moss Mountain Farm in Arkansas to be the guest reporter at his Poultry Workshop a few weeks ago. Part one of The Chicken Chick in Poultryville can be read here. In this series of photos, I’ll give you a guided tour of most of the farm, the low-down on the Poultry Workshop and the eagerly awaited tour of Poultryville!  This is the view from the porch of Allen’s Garden Home overlooking the sheep pasture and Poultryville. The red roof in the distance is the chicken barn

From the Garden Home, we headed towards Poultryville, which is where the chickens, turkeys, ducks and swans live. There are no bad views at Moss Mountain Farm- every step was a new, breathtaking vista and photo opportunity.

Mr. Chicken Chick served as guest photog for the weekend while I had a seat, waiting for the night’s bonfire.

A little further down the path from the Garden Home, a bit closer to Poultryville

The sheep pasture next to the Waterfowl Mecca

The Mute Swan pair

Construction of this chicken barn began last autumn. Finishing touches are still being put on it. Each breeding pen inside the barn has its own run to the outside. The pop doors are on a pulley system so that they can be opened simultaneously.

A quick update from Allen and me during the day of the workshop.

Chicken tractors, formerly cotton trailers, were the chickens’ accommodations prior to construction of the chicken barn.

One of Allen’s dogs who was the official greeter at the Garden Home. The white tent was where the Poultry Workshop kicked off, wound up and where lunch was served. The hatching eggs were hand gathered for me by Allen on Friday and given to one of his team members to give to me on Saturday. She stored them in her car all day Saturday without realizing that a hot car parked in the Arkansas sun weren’t ideal storage conditions. The hatch had its challenges, but I consider it a success nonetheless.

Quick introductory video from inside the Chicken Barn.

https://youtu.be/amnHJeKni38

Inside the chicken barn, filming some segments and taking a selfie with Allen. You can see from the light fixture that the barn is still a work in progress.

P Allen Smith’s Heritage Breed Beauties! Black White Faced Spanish

Silver Grey Dorkings and Dominiques

Buff Orpingtons. Allen allows each breed to take turns free-ranging on the property in order to preserve stock purity. The BOs made the most of their yard time

Welsumers, Partridge Plymouth Rocks, Blue Jersey Giants and Blue Andalusians

Silver Laced Wyandottes, Dark Cornish, Light Sussex (with his human) and Silver Pencilled Wyandotte

The presenters at the Poultry Workshop
Top Left with hat: Doug Yoho, a program associate at the University of Arkansas and hatchery manager. He spoke about processing birds for meat.
Next to Mr. Yoho is Dr. Keith Bramwell, PhD, poultry extension specialist at the University of Arkansas. He spoke about breed selection and sourcing, supplies, nutrition and health and egg production and fertility.
Next to Dr. Bramwell is Jeff May, poultry farmer consultant. He spoke about creative chicken coop design.
Top left with Allen (wearing tie) is Dr. Dusty Clark, PhD who holds a degree in veterinary medicine and works as the University of Arkansas extension poultry health veterinarian. Dr. Clark spoke about biosecurity, diseases, nutrition and predator control.

Chicken chat was the order of the day.

Top left and bottom left, Allen with his right hand woman, Laura Leech.
Top right: John Owens, president Hortus, Ltd / P. Allen Smith Company
Bottom right, chatting with Doug Yoho, Keith Bramwell and P Allen Smith about poultry operations in China

Lunch was held underneath the tent and kudos go to the ladies on the Top left who prepared it!
Top Right: Allen with Laura Leech and Mimi San Pedro, Chief Operating and Marketing Officer, Hortus, Ltd/P Allen Smith Companies. They raffled off some gifts.
Bottom left: Purscilla never misses a chance to eat great barbecue
Bottom Right: Mr. Chicken Chick. ♥

We had the opportunity to visit the Formal Rose Garden, but it wasn’t in bloom at the time. The following photos are part of P. Allen Smith’s photo album on Facebook.