About Us

Ellen J Farm is a locally owned and operated establishment in Fairbanks, Alaska. With a lifetime of farming experience in this great state, we relocated from the southeast region to the interior and never looked back. We love the boreal forest, with its crisp winters and beautiful, vibrant summers. Chickens have always been an integral part of our lives, and we enjoy their companionship as well as their contributions to our farm, both in production and labor. Our chickens work hard, turning soil and hunting for the many bugs we have on our farm.

As a new farm, our chicken flock for breeding is intentionally small because we do not want to overproduce birds. Our aim is to provide quality chickens and Coturnix quail. While our primary goal is to share these breeds, we also focus on maintaining and improving our strains to the best of our ability.

To prevent overcrowding on our farm, we intend to fill orders for chicks and set them in the incubator as they are ordered. We want all our chicks to have a home to look forward to, and we only want to raise as many chickens and quail as we can afford and properly maintain for the benefit of both our farm and our animals.

We do not allow visitors because we are a small farm that has invested considerable time and resources into our flock. To minimize the risk of spreading disease, especially with avian influenza causing considerable losses, we enforce this policy.

Our farm is part of the Breeders Academy, where we study poultry genetics and livestock breeding. We have learned a great deal from the Academy, including how to produce and maintain strong strains. Currently, we are in stage two of the cleanup process for our chickens. Raising poultry in Fairbanks presents unique challenges; our breeding season is much shorter compared to those in southern regions. Consequently, it will take more time for our strain to progress, but this extended period allows us to spend more time with our birds before making our breeder stock selections.

What does stage two of the foundation program mean for our customers?

• Any adult birds we rehome did not meet our program's standards. They will be perfectly good, beautiful laying hens. Our best birds will not be available for sale because we intend to keep them to enhance our strain.

• Before selecting a breeding pair for the following year, we test mate them to evaluate their compatibility and assess their fertility.

• While the parents of your chicks may be exceptional birds, this does not guarantee that their offspring will be champions. There is a possibility that the chicks may inherit traits that do not meet breed standards. If you are looking for chickens as pets rather than for breeding purposes, please let us know, and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.

We will provide as much information as possible about our chickens and quail, but we encourage you to conduct your own research on any animals you consider purchasing. It's important to understand their needs and the time required for their care. At a minimum, ensure that their breeders prioritize health and temperament. Just because one breed of chicken or quail you previously owned displayed undesirable behavior does not mean all of them will. I would have given up on birds by now if I hadn't learned this. It’s all about the specific strain and those who select them.

Our goal is to produce birds that meet the standards set by the American Poultry Association (APA), the Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities (SPPA), and the American Coturnix Breeder Association (ACBA). Our top priorities in breeding are health, vigor, temperament, and productivity. We value subsistence farming and strive to raise birds that can thrive in our northern climate, ensuring food security for our farm and our neighboring Alaskans.