These days, with Google and AI at our fingertips, folks expect things to be quicker, easier, and more convenient. So, we are making a few changes to help streamline our Adoption Process, as well as the way we handle orders for poultry and supplies. But we are still not shipping chicks. 

Anyone who has been out to our farm knows that when it comes to adopting one of our animals, we want to feel confident that “you got this.” Taking a living creature into your home and your life comes with real responsibility, time, work, and commitment. It should never be a decision made on a whim. We do our best to help you think through your choices and are always happy to offer advice that may make the decision a little easier.

Our new online application is designed to cover the basics ahead of time and make the process more convenient for everyone. But don’t worry—we are still going to enjoy our visit once you get here to the farm! We value getting to know the people who will be taking our animals home.

We’re hoping this new process will make things a little easier while still allowing us to maintain the personal connection and careful placement of our animals that has always been important to us.

The Application is self explanatory so just give your honest answers. With many of them there is no wrong answer. Once you have submitted the application, I will notify you as I work down the waiting list for that breed, or in the case the pup is available, as soon as I read through it. I will also cover some frequently asked questions about this and all our processes on the Q&A page.

Quick Outline of the Process

• Fill out the Application
• Add yourself to the Waiting List (unless pup is available)
• Receive your text that it’s your turn to choose.
• Schedule a time to come to the farm.
• Come out to the farm to visit the pup.

We work with and/or are members of:

• AKC – American Kennel Club
• ACA – American Canine Association
• APRI – American Pet Registry Inc
• CKC – Continental Kennel Club
• UABR – United All Breeds Registry
• FFA, 4H, and other youth programs for livestock and poultry
• NPIP – National Poultry Improvement Plan
• FL Game Farm Licensed

There are various options for you here at Hard Run Acres. We usually hatch 400-600 a week here of about 30+ breeds of standard chicken. We also hatch a few bantams, seramas, quail, seven breed of ducks, geese & turkey. We can satisfy those who want them from just hatched (or want to hatch them themselves) to those who want fowl off the heat ready for the coop or free ranging or who want them laying lots of eggs already.

We are beginning this new year/season with a fully vaccinated birds for our serious small to medium homesteads who want to keep their costs contained during the weather changes that bring on health challenges in Florida (summers mostly). But, Yes, we still will carry our full line of medicines for fowl, livestock and dogs, along with parasite/anticoccidial & pest control for all the above as well. For obvious reasons the meat birds will remain vaccine free.

We work with and/or are members of:

• NPIP – National Poultry Improvement Plan
• FL Game Farm License
• FFA – Future Farmers of America
• 4H
• Various Middle/High School Programs
• Other youth programs for livestock and poultry

A lot of people love the idea of raising ducks and geese. They’re incredibly hardy, great layers, and a wonderful addition to the farm. But many people assume they need a pond or a large body of water to keep them—and that simply isn’t true!

Don’t get me wrong, ducks and geese love water, and if you’re blessed with a pond or even a small body of water, they’ll certainly enjoy it. But it isn’t necessary for them to be happy and healthy. Just like so many other things we do here on the farm, there’s usually a workaround or another way to make it work.

With the right setup, you can enjoy these hardy, egg-laying wonders on your farm without a pond, huge water areas, or all the mud, mess, and smell that people often associate with raising ducks and geese.

We offer some wonderful large breeds like Blue/Splash/Black Swedish and Jumbo Pekin. We have the wonderful layers like the Khaki Campbell and Welsh Harlequin (extremely beautiful). The Indian Runner as well. We have the Fawn (penciled) and the Grey, these stand very erect! They also lay some beautiful colored eggs as well.  We have various colors of Call Duck, they are so cute and little. Our Cayugas are just gorgeous black, with the purple and green hues. Yes they lay the beautiful green/gray eggs, and some are quite dark.

Our geese we have narrowed down to just the one breed. We needed a bird to actually work, and the weeder goose lives up to its name. It’s also nicknamed the swan goose for its beauty and graceful neck. The Brown Chinese is also the best layer of the goose breeds, and of course makes a wonderful guard dog.

Whether you want to start with those cute fuzzy ducklings or you want some already laying we can usually help you build your flock. 

We work with and/or are members of:

• NPIP – National Poultry Improvement Plan
• FL Game Farm License
• FFA – Future Farmers of America
• 4H
• Various Middle/High School Programs
• Other youth programs for livestock and poultry

We have a wonderful herd of Hair Sheep (dorper/katahdin/cracker) that are extremely parasite resistance, we do not worm them. At various times of the year we will be offering yearlings (and occasionally bottle babies) for sale. This breed is great for vegetation control and are docile and easy to work with. There is no need for shearing these sheep, they shed off naturally and slick off beautifully. They are a great breed to grow to harvest, as the mix of these grow fast and big.

We have raised mostly Yorkshire here at Hard Run Acres, but we will be offering some new breeds this year. We’ll have some pasture pigs and various mix breeds. If you are looking for something specific you can always text us and we’ll do our best answer any questions.