Surviving the Sauna to Save the Chicks (Plus 2 New Babies!)

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September 28, 2024

Some days on the farm turn out to take a bit more effort and sweat... and this was the case a couple weeks ago when 600 baby chicks arrived at the farm!

Surviving the Sauna to Save the Chicks

My sisters, Lydia and Emma, were doing the usual procedure of dipping the chicks beaks in water as they unloaded them from the crates they came in so they would know where the water was. And that is when the trouble began...

The chicks all started attacking the water like crazy and getting soaked in the process! Usually there is plenty of space at the waterers, but I wonder if the very hot day before had them extra thirsty??

I quickly added several more waterers to spread them out, but to no avail. 600 chicks all trying to drink at once was not working out so well! Before we knew what to do, the majority of them were soaked and shivering...

We needed to act quickly as cold chicks is a bad deal! The problem was the propane heaters were already set at their highest temperature of around 90 degrees and they had shut off since that was what the temperature was already... We quickly scrambled around trying to find heat lamps to provide additional heat, but most of them weren't working since we haven't used them in a while.

Then I had an idea — "Let's put a wet rag on the propane heater's thermostat to trick it into turning on!" Praise God, it worked! The heaters turned on and started CRANKING OUT THE HEAT!

We quickly moved the several hundred wet chicks under the heaters and they huddled tightly together soaking up the heat. For the next few minutes we worked by the heaters moving the chicks around to make sure that none of them got trampled. IT WAS HOT!

The temperature climbed to around 117 degrees under the heaters which we were working right beside. THE CHICKS LOVED IT, but we, on the other hand, got SOAKED IN SWEAT! After around a half hour they started drying off and spreading back out. What a relief! 🐤

Now it was our turn to survive! We stepped outside to cool off and the 80 degree temperature felt like a 60 degree morning! It felt AMAZING! We took a few minutes to cool down and make sure that the chicks were all going to be fine.

It all turned out good with the chicks turning back into their fluffy run-around selves and none of them dying! Sometimes you just have to sweat it out to get the job done! GOOD WORK TEAM!💪

Two New Babies!

What's more exciting than six hundred new baby chicks? Two new babies in the family, of course!

A couple of weeks ago, both Philip & Mary and Esther & I welcomed our third children into this world! We praise God for safe deliveries and that the mothers and babies are doing well!

Ellen Marie was born on August 30th at home (we love our midwife Amie❤️). Juli and Nora (ages 3.5 & almost 2) are thrilled to have a baby sister!

Philip & Mary had Warren James six days later on September 5th! They also had the delivery at home with the same midwife:)

Their other two children are Christina and Luke (ages 3 & 1.5) and they are quite pleased with their new brother!

Children are truly a blessing from God and also a great responsibility! We trust that God will give us the wisdom to nurture and train our children in His ways!

Both Philip and I took approximately one week off work to spend some time at home which was very nice! We were available to provide input to the team but they did a great job while we were away!

Blessings on your weekend!
~ Corbin

Prairie Creek Pastures

The Ultimate Grassfed Steak Buying Guide

There’s nothing quite like a great steak cooked over a hot grill or cast-iron skillet. But with so many cuts to choose from, it can be hard to know which steak is right for your family, cooking style, or budget. Here at Prairie Creek Pastures, our cattle are 100% grass-fed and grass-finished and raised on regenerative pastures without hormones, antibiotics, or vaccines. That means every cut delivers clean flavor, nutrient-dense nutrition, and the kind of quality you can feel good about feeding your family. This guide walks through the steaks we offer and helps you understand what makes each one unique — from rich, buttery ribeyes to lean and flavorful sirloins. Quick Tip: Grassfed beef cooks faster than conventional beef. For the best results, cook most steaks to medium-rare or medium (internal temp 130-135°) and allow to rest at least 5 minutes before slicing. (see notes at bottom) Choosing the Right Steak When picking a steak, most people care about four things: Flavor Tenderness Marbling Value Some cuts excel in one area, while others strike a balance across all four. Filet Mignon The Most Tender Cut Filet mignon is known for one thing above all else: tenderness. Cut from the tenderloin, this steak has very little connective tissue, giving it an exceptionally soft texture. What to Expect Extremely tender Lean and delicate Mild beef flavor Smaller portion size Best Cooking Method Cook carefully over high heat and avoid overcooking. Because filet is lean, medium-rare is ideal. Cost: $$$ Great For Date nights Elegant dinners Anyone prioritizing tenderness Ribeye Steak The Classic Steakhouse Favorite The ribeye is prized for its rich marbling and bold flavor. Cut from the rib section, this steak delivers the most traditional steakhouse experience and is often the first choice for serious steak lovers. What to Expect Rich, juicy flavor Excellent marbling Tender texture Best for grilling or cast iron searing Best Cooking Method Sear over high heat and finish at a more moderate temp. A simple seasoning of salt and pepper is often all you need. Cost: $$ Great For Special occasions Reverse searing Grill enthusiasts NY Strip Steak Best All-Around Steak The New York Strip is a favorite for people who want a steak that balances tenderness with a firmer, beefier bite. It is a dependable steak that is easy to cook and hard to mess up. Compared to a ribeye, the strip steak is slightly leaner but still offers excellent flavor and a satisfying texture. What to Expect Bold beef flavor Moderate marbling Tender with a slight chew Consistent cooking results Best Cooking Method Excellent on the grill or pan-seared with butter and herbs. Cost: $$ Great For Weeknight steaks Steak sandwiches First-time grass-fed buyers Top Sirloin Steak Lean, Affordable, and Versatile Top sirloin is one of the best everyday steaks because it delivers great flavor at a more affordable price point. It’s leaner than ribeye or ny strip steak but still tender when cooked correctly. What to Expect Lean and hearty Great beef flavor Excellent value Easy to cook Best Cooking Method Grill or pan-sear to medium-rare and slice against the grain. Cost: $ Great For Family dinners Meal prep Steak salads and bowls Flat Iron Steak One of the Best Values in Beef Flat iron steak combines tenderness, marbling, and affordability in one underrated cut. It’s cut from the shoulder and offers excellent flavor without the premium price tag of ribeye or filet. What to Expect Tender textureGreat marblingRich flavorExcellent value Best Cooking Method Perfect for cast iron or grilling. Cost: $ Great For Budget-friendly steak nightsSandwichesSlicing over salads Hanger Steak The Butcher’s Favorite Hanger steak is one of the most flavorful cuts on the animal and remains a hidden gem for many home cooks. It has deep beef flavor and a loose grain that absorbs marinades beautifully. What to Expect Intense beef flavor Tender when sliced correctly Loose texture Excellent for marinades Best Cooking Method Cook quickly over high heat and always slice against the grain. These can be difficult to cook evenly because it tapers from thick to thin, but utilizing cool/hot parts of the grill can solve that. Cost: $ Great For Steak tacos Fajitas Chimichurri-style preparations Flank Steak Lean and Full of Flavor Flank steak is a long, lean cut with incredible flavor. While it’s not as naturally tender as ribeye or filet, proper slicing makes all the difference. What to Expect Lean texture Strong beef flavor Best when marinated Great for slicing thin Best Cooking Method Marinate first, grill hot and fast, then slice thinly against the grain. Cost: $ Great For Fajitas Stir fry Steak salads Skirt Steak Big Flavor for High-Heat Cooking Skirt steak is famous for its rich flavor and fast cooking time. It’s thin, intensely beefy, and one of the best cuts for quick meals. What to Expect Deep beef flavor Thin texture Quick cooking Excellent marinade absorption Best Cooking Method Cook hot and very fast. Watch these carefully as skirts are thin and can overcook quickly. Cost: $ Great For Tacos Fajitas Quick grilling Final Thoughts The “best” steak ultimately depends on what you enjoy most. Love rich marbling? Go with the ribeye.Dependable all-around steak? New york strip. Want the most tender experience? Choose filet mignon. Looking for everyday value? Top sirloin and flat iron are hard to beat. Prefer bold beef flavor? Try hanger, flank, or skirt steak. No matter which cut you choose, you can trust that every steak from Prairie Creek Pastures comes from cattle raised the way nature intended — on pasture, with clean nutrition and careful stewardship from start to finish. Simple Steps for Grilling Amazing Grassfed Steak 1.Salt & Pepper 1hr Before Rub a generous amount of salt and pepper on all sides of the previously thawed steak and let set for around a hour. (you can still get pretty good results if you don't have time to let it set) 2. Use High Heat - Don’t Overcook It! Most steaks benefit from a hot grill or cast-iron skillet to create a quick sear and then move to a slightly cooler spot on the grill to finish. Use a meat thermometer to gauge exactly when it's done. Rare 120°| medium 135°| medium-well 145°. Don't "ruin" your steaks by overcooking! Well-done tends to give you a dry texture and reduce the flavor. 3. Let It Rest Lightly cover and rest steaks for 5–10 minutes before slicing to give the fibers time to cool slightly and reabsorb the juices. 4. Slice Against the Grain Especially important for flank, skirt, and hanger steaks. It's really pretty simple and gives good results every time! For a more detailed explanation of these steps check out more info from our farmer friends, the Shanks. h1 { font-size: 2.8rem; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center; } h2 { margin-top: 60px; font-size: 2rem; } h3 { margin-top: 30px; font-size: 1.75rem; } h4 { margin-top: 30px; font-size: 1.1rem; font-weight: bold; } p { margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 1.05rem; } ul { margin-bottom: 25px; padding-left: 25px; } li { margin-bottom: 8px; } img { width: 70%; border-radius: 8px; }

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Surviving the Sauna to Save the Chicks (Plus 2 New Babies!)

Surviving the Sauna to Save the Chicks

Two New Babies!

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Prairie Creek Pastures