Teen entrepreneur's sustainable practices could shape the future of chicken farming
By jacobthomas // 2025-02-18
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  • Savannah Brown has built a thriving chicken business in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, starting with baking bread as a hobby and expanding to raising 80-90 chickens. She sells eggs, hatches chicks and creates fly-fishing materials from rooster feathers, showcasing her innovative and eco-friendly farming practices.
  • Brown prioritizes sustainable farming by feeding her chickens non-GMO sprouting feed, allowing them to free-range on grass and bugs and using natural remedies like essential oils for their health. Her methods create a self-sustaining cycle that benefits both the environment and her flock.
  • Brown incubates eggs in her bedroom, meticulously controlling temperature and humidity for successful hatches, achieving a 92% success rate. She also experiments with breeding to create unique chicken varieties, such as a hen that lays green eggs.
  • Brown uses electric poultry netting and portable coops to protect her chickens from predators. She emphasizes their well-being by providing constant access to water and using natural treatments like rosemary and melaleuca oils to address health issues.
  • Brown's story highlights the potential of young people to drive sustainable agriculture. She advocates for spending time in nature rather than on screens and aims to expand her business, including becoming NPIP-certified to ship chicks nationwide. Her work serves as a model for eco-friendly farming and self-reliance.
In the episode 10 of "Off Grid Survival Skills," aired Feb. 10, Savannah Brown joined Marjory Wildcraft to discuss her chicken business. At just 13 years old, Brown is not your average teenager. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, she has built a thriving chicken business that is setting a new standard for sustainable agriculture. From selling eggs and chicks to crafting fly-fishing materials from rooster feathers, Brown's innovative practices are inspiring a movement toward eco-friendly farming and self-reliance. Her story is a testament to the power of passion, hard work and a deep connection to nature. Brown's journey began two years ago when she started baking bread as a hobby. What began as an accident turned into a small business, with friends and neighbors eagerly buying her loaves. "I made 34 loaves in one 19-hour baking day," she recalled. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to save up for her first flock of chickens, which she purchased in March 2016. Starting with 27 chicks, Brown quickly fell in love with poultry. "I got chicken fever very early on," she said. Today, she manages a flock of 80 to 90 chickens, selling eggs, hatching chicks and experimenting with innovative farming techniques. What sets Brown apart is her commitment to sustainability. She feeds her chickens non-GMO feed that sprouts into plants, creating a self-sustaining cycle. "When I drop their food, the next year it will sprout morning glories, corn and peas," she explained. Her chickens also enjoy a free-range diet of grass, worms and bugs, supplemented with essential oils like oregano for immune support. "I dilute the oils and spray them on the chickens," she said, emphasizing the importance of natural care. Brown's business is not just about profit — it's about education and empowerment. She incubates eggs in her bedroom, carefully monitoring temperature and humidity to ensure successful hatches. "A degree off can make or break a hatch," she noted. Her first hatch had a 92 percent success rate, far exceeding expectations. She also experiments with breeding, aiming to create her own varieties of chickens. "I'd like to cross a Black Copper Maran with a Blue Ameraucana to produce a hen that lays green eggs," she shared.

Predator management and animal welfare

Her innovative approach extends to predator management and animal welfare. Brown uses electric poultry netting and portable coops to protect her flock from hawks, raccoons and weasels. "I close my chickens up every night to keep them safe," she said. She also prioritizes their health, providing constant access to water and using natural remedies like rosemary and melaleuca oils to treat lice. "Essential oils are powerful, so I always dilute them," she explained. Brown's passion for chickens has not only empowered her family but also inspired others in her community. She sells chicks and eggs locally and her dedication has earned her a loyal customer base. Her long-term goals include becoming NPIP-certified to ship chicks across the United States and expanding her business. "In five to ten years, I'd like to have everything expanded," she said. Her story is a beacon of hope for sustainable farming and youth empowerment. "I really think younger people should spend more time outside with chickens and nature than on video games," she advised. Brown's journey proves that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. As Wildcraft said, "Savannah Brown is a remarkable young lady. Chickens are fundamental for every backyard and her story is an inspiration to us all." Could this teenage farmer hold the key to a more sustainable future? Brown's innovative practices, dedication to animal welfare and entrepreneurial spirit suggest that the answer is a resounding yes. Her story is a reminder that the next generation of farmers is already here — and they’re ready to change the world, one chicken at a time. If you want to learn more about the essential skills Wildcraft has gathered for you, purchase your copy of the "Off Grid Survival Skills" bundle here. You will get a copy of the videos from all 10 episodes, 29 life-saving video bonuses, 21 exclusive eBooks and and a physical copy of Wildcraft's "The Grow Book System," which will be delivered directly at your doorstep. Sources include: BrightU.com BrighteonUniversity.com
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