Welcome to Mickey and Ann's Farmette
Established 2001
The Farm
About Us
Heritage Turkeys
Heritage Turkeys
Mickey and Ann's Farmette is located in Southampton County, VA in the small community of Zuni. We are 1 hours travel to both Va. Beach and Richmond. On our farm we raise laying chickens, meat chickens, Muscovy Ducks, Lamb and Tilapia. Garden fresh produce is available seasonally and 3 years ago we started aquaponic growing in our new greenhouse so fresh lettuce and salad greens and other veggies are available year round.
In addition to our edible products we also have beautiful feathers from the chickens and turkeys for the craftier as well as sheep leather for making clothes and sheep hides for throws. We have a couple hides on the back of our love seat, they're really nice.
Our Practices
Our Farmette uses no pesticides or herbicides on our produce which are all NON-GMO. Our livestock are naturally raised, free-range chickens and Muscovy ducks, pastured lamb with no chemicals or hormones and fed only non-GMO supplements. We sell our eggs, produce, meats- chicken, duck ,and lamb to online customers and at local Farmers Markets. Our land is farmed with sustainable practices and very diversified.
Heritage Turkeys
Heritage Turkeys
Heritage Turkeys
Since 2014 we have raised Heritage Turkeys. However as of December 2021 we sold off our flock in order to cut back on our farm. This information on Heritage Turkeys will be left up here for you.
The various heritage breeds are Chocolates, Slates, Royal Palm, Black Spanish and Midget whites. These Turkeys are filled with a natural vigor, vitality, are winter hearty and provide an excellent quality of meat. They mate naturally and are disease resistant. The meat has a full delicious taste range, not like the industrial, mass produced, white turkeys you find in most grocery stores.
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Meat Chickens
Heritage Turkeys
Meat Chickens
Here on our farm we raise two types of meat chicken. The White Cornish Cross a fast growing production meat bird with a larger breast, legs and thighs. We begin harvesting at 21-28 days when they average about 1-1/2 lbs for the Cornish Game Hen. Then each week we harvest and process 10-15 birds and in most cases they are bought right up. At 7 to 8 weeks these birds will average 5 to 6 pounds live weight.
Our other choice for meat chicken is the Kosher King. They grow fast and are great for pasture-raised operations. Kosher Kings do not have the leg or heart problems other fast growing chickens have and are good grazers. We begin harvesting these birds at 6 weeks when they are 3-1/2 to 4 pounds. At 8 weeks the weight is 5 lbs., at 10 weeks the weight is 7 lbs., and at 12 weeks the weight is 8 lbs. They are very tasty and for big birds they have smaller breast than the Cornish Cross, but bigger legs and thighs. Grilling is my favorite way to cook'em.
Lamb
Muscovy Duck
Meat Chickens
After trying some store bought Lamb several years ago, and liking it, Ann and I decided to invest in some sheep. After a little research we decided that the "Hair" Sheep was the way to go. Our flock started with one ram and 3 Katadin ewes. We now maintain about 30 sheep on average, on 4 acres divided into 3 sections so we can rotate sections as needed. One benefit of hair sheep is they don't need shearing annually as they grow their coats and shed with the seasons. We also change out our ram every few years to bring new blood into the flock.
Another benefit of the hair sheep is the taste of the meat. Wool sheep produce more lanolin and have a stronger flavor and are a bit more "greasy" than the hair sheep. Lamb has become our favorite meat.
Our sheep are pasture raised year round and supplemented with non-GMO feeds and hay during the colder months.
Muscovy Duck
Muscovy Duck
Muscovy Duck
We chose the Muscovy duck to raise because they are easy keepers. They are also great producers, the females can have 2-3 broods each year and have as may as 16-18 in each hatching. The females are great moms looking after, protecting and teaching the ducklings how to survive.
There are several other benefits in raising Muscovies. It has the highest meat yield of any duck. The meat is 98% fat free, is much less greasy than other ducks and there is approximately 50% more breast meat than a standard duck. It also has less calories and fat than a turkey pound for pound. So what does Duck taste like? The taste of the meat has been likened to roast beef, veal or ham. Personally my favorite way to have it is to marinate the breast meat in Teriyaki Sauce and cook on the grill, taste like steak.
The Muscovy ducks life span is 7-8 years and in captivity can live 20 years. Our Ducks are Free range and are fed non-gmo feeds. The eggs are white and large and loved by pastry chefs all over the world. Duck eggs contain more albumin than chicken eggs and that makes for fluffier pastries. In many countries the Muscovy Duck has been raised for it's eggs and meat for several hundred years now.
Tilapia
Muscovy Duck
Muscovy Duck
Nile Tilapia... is the heartiest of all the species of Tilapia, meaning they can withstand a broader scale of water and temperature conditions.
Tilapia is a popular food fish that has been part of a traditional Mediterranean diet for at least 4,000 years. The tilapia later became a Christian symbol; to this day, it is sometimes referred to as St. Peter's fish.
Tilapia were originally found in freshwater areas of the Mediterranean. The fish were raised for food in ancient Egypt and have long been a staple of Mediterranean diets.
Today, tilapia is farmed as a food source in many areas outside its native range. Here at our farm we raise the fish in 250 gallon "food grade" IBC tanks. We use food grade tanks because these containers have not had any harsh chemicals used in them. And the barrels we use in the filtration system are the same.
Tilapia take 9 to 12 months to grow to a pound which is considered market size. We raise our fish on Aquamax feeds. Aquamax 300 for the fry, Aquamax 400 for the fingerlings and Aquamax 4000 from juvenile to adult. The Aquamax feeds are a bit more expensive, but the results are definitely worth the price. The fish are healthier and grow faster due to the higher protein and fatty acid content.
About Us
4 Season Growing
Ways to purchase products
Ways to purchase products
One thing we'd like our customers to know is we farm year round. We have the normal summer produce tomatoes, squash, peppers, egg plant, a variety of beans, Corn, potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Etc.
But we also have a 28 x 56 High Tunnel where we are able to grow leaf lettuce, mesculin mix, beets, radishes, Pac Choi, Broccoli, Cauliflower Pe
One thing we'd like our customers to know is we farm year round. We have the normal summer produce tomatoes, squash, peppers, egg plant, a variety of beans, Corn, potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Etc.
But we also have a 28 x 56 High Tunnel where we are able to grow leaf lettuce, mesculin mix, beets, radishes, Pac Choi, Broccoli, Cauliflower Peas, onions, Kale and other delicious veggies through the fall and winter months.
Last but not least we have a small green house Aquaponic System fed from the fish tanks where we also grow salad greens, mini pac choi, swiss chard and various herbs.
Ways to purchase products
Ways to purchase products
Ways to purchase products
With more people turning to healthier eating and buying from local farmers, Ann and I would like to let you know that there are 3 ways to buy from us.
1. Order right from this web site. Let us know if you want delivery or if you'll be picking up. All delivery applications in option #2 apply.
2. Become and email customer. Simply get on our
With more people turning to healthier eating and buying from local farmers, Ann and I would like to let you know that there are 3 ways to buy from us.
1. Order right from this web site. Let us know if you want delivery or if you'll be picking up. All delivery applications in option #2 apply.
2. Become and email customer. Simply get on our email list . We send out emails on Saturdays with "what's available" for the coming week, place your order by Tuesday evening and we will deliver on Thursdays. We deliver to Richmond and surrounding areas and The Tidewater area (Suffolk to Va. Beach). Orders of $50 or more receive FREE delivery (unless you are off the beaten path) then it's a $5.00 fee. Orders under $50 the Fee is $5.00 and $10 if you're off the beaten path.
3. You can find us at Suffolk Farmers market Saturdays beginning the first weekend in May to the first weekend in Dec. from 9-1. And this year the "Winter" market begins in Feb. and goes through April on the 1st and 3rd weekends of he month (weather permitting)
View inventory & Purchase
Ways to purchase products
View inventory & Purchase
Click on the Invertory Page to view current items available. Write down what you want then click on the email link at the bottom of the page and email us your order. THERE IS NO SHOPPING CART
Note - Inventory is a first come first serve basis and is updated on Saturdays. The time for ordering is Saturday 6:00 pm through Tuesday at 8:00 p
Click on the Invertory Page to view current items available. Write down what you want then click on the email link at the bottom of the page and email us your order. THERE IS NO SHOPPING CART
Note - Inventory is a first come first serve basis and is updated on Saturdays. The time for ordering is Saturday 6:00 pm through Tuesday at 8:00 pm. This gives us a day to put orders together and ready for delivery on Thursdays.
Once you have placed an order you will receive a confirmation email and given 3 options to pay.
- Set up a "card on File" with us so future orders will be automatically charge to that account.
- Request to pay by invoice. If you would rather be invoiced for your order we can do that via Square. Then your order will be put together and delivered or ready to pick once the invoice is paid.
- Cash or check. If you are picking up your order in person you can pay with cash or check. This option only applies to pick up orders.