The CHICKEN REVOLUTION: How poultry saves cows and the planet
By kevinhughes // 2025-01-25
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  • Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms uses "egg mobiles" – portable chicken coops – to address soil degradation, pest control and nutrient recycling in farming. Chickens follow cattle – breaking down cow manure, reducing fly populations, spreading natural fertilizer and improving soil health.
  • Modern agriculture relies on chemical inputs, monocultures and overgrazing, leading to soil erosion, nutrient depletion and environmental harm. Salatin's approach mimics natural grazing patterns to restore ecological balance.
  • Chickens not only sanitize pastures by eating fly larvae but also convert insects into high-quality protein, producing nutritionally superior eggs. Polyface Farms' eggs, for example, contain 20 times more folic acid than USDA standards.
  • Salatin advocates for decentralized, community-based agriculture over industrialized systems. He emphasizes empowering individuals to grow their own food or support local farms to create sustainable, resilient food systems.
  • Salatin encourages small, actionable steps like raising backyard chickens or composting to build a regenerative future. He stresses that individual decisions today will shape the world in decades to come.
In the battle against flies, soil degradation and the challenges of modern agriculture, chickens are emerging as unsung heroes. Organic farming maverick Joel Salatin has pioneered a revolutionary approach to farming that leverages the symbiotic relationship between cows and chickens. Salatin, the visionary behind Polyface Farms in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, made this possible through his innovative "egg mobiles." These portable chicken coops are not just a quirky farming tool, they're a blueprint for sustainable agriculture that could transform the way people think about food production. Modern agriculture often relies on chemical inputs, monocultures, and practices that deplete soil health. Cattle ranchers, for instance, frequently overgraze pastures, leading to nutrient-poor soils, weed infestations, and the need for synthetic fertilizers. This cycle of degradation is not only unsustainable but also contributes to environmental issues like soil erosion and water pollution. But Salatin sees a different path—one that mimics nature's patterns. "If you look at herbivores in nature, they're doing three things: Moving, mobbing and mowing," Salatin explained to the Health Ranger Mike Adams and Todd Pitner during an appearance on "Decentralize TV." Cows, like their wild counterparts – bison, wildebeest and zebras – thrive when they graze in tight herds, move frequently, and prune grass to stimulate regrowth. When these natural behaviors are disrupted, cattle become a liability rather than an asset.

Enter the chickens

Salatin's solution to the problems of conventional ranching is as ingenious as it is simple: Chickens. Specifically, he deploys – egg mobiles – portable chicken coops that follow cattle herds. Three to four days after cows graze a pasture, the chickens are brought in to scratch through the cow patties. This process serves multiple purposes. First, chickens break apart the cow patties, eliminating fly larvae and reducing fly populations that torment cattle. Second, they spread the manure across the pasture, turning what would otherwise be concentrated waste into a nutrient-rich fertilizer. This not only improves soil health, but also eliminates the "repugnancy zone" that cows avoid when grazing near their own waste. Salatin said the chickens are the heroes because they serve as biological sanitizers and fertility engines. But the benefits of this system extend beyond pest control and soil health. As chickens scratch through the pasture, they also feast on grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects, converting them into high-quality protein. The result? Eggs that are not only delicious but also nutritionally superior. Salatin recounted a nutritional study in which Polyface Farms' eggs were found to contain 1,038 micrograms of folic acid—more than 20 times the  U.S. Department of Agriculture's standard for eggs. '“We're not talking about a 10 percent difference. We're talking about major differences," said Salatin, who describes himself as a "lunatic farmer." This symbiotic relationship between cows and chickens is a prime example of what Salatin calls "mob stocking herbivorous solar conversion." By mimicking natural grazing patterns and leveraging the unique abilities of different species, farmers can build healthier soils, produce more nutritious food, and reduce their reliance on chemical inputs.

A blueprint for the future

Salatin's methods offer a stark contrast to the industrialized, centralized food systems that dominate modern agriculture. While lab-grown meat and cricket protein have been touted as sustainable alternatives, Salatin is skeptical. The most famous farmer in the world warned that the more people centralize food production the easier it becomes to control with nefarious agendas.Instead, he advocates for decentralized, community-based food systems that empower individuals and families to take control of their own food supply. Whether it's raising backyard chickens, starting a small garden, or sourcing food from local farms, every decision matters. (Related: Sovereign nations must reclaim their food systems and decentralize nutritious food production before populations are exploited and starved to death.) "Your decisions matter," Salatin said. "The world we have in 40 years will be the manifestation of the decisions we make today. If we want to see a different outcome, we need to start thinking differently, acting differently, and making decisions differently." The humble chicken may not seem like a revolutionary force, but in the hands of innovators like Salatin, it's proving to be a powerful tool for change. By working with nature rather than against it, farmers can create systems that are not only sustainable but also regenerative systems that heal the land, nourish people, and build resilience in the face of climate change and other challenges. Follow OrganicFarming.news for more news about natural farming. Watch the full "Decentralize TV" episode with Joel Salatin below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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BIG NEWS for SUSTAINABLE FARMING: Joel F. Salatin, American farmer, author and environmentalist, appointed by Trump as “Advisor to the Secretary” for USDA. How organic farming practices preserve biodiversity in the natural world while growing healthy abundant food. Another U.S. poultry farm goes UP IN FLAMES as sabotage ops target yet more food supply chain hubs. Sources include: Brighteon.com PolyfaceFarms.com TheLunaticFarmer.com
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