Page 2 - 653610 Digital Edition

I managed an organic college farm
(beef and dairy cattle, chickens, sheep,
vegetables, soft fruit) in Europe for 10
years (1968 – 1977).
Upon my return to Iowa I learned that
several of the most useful tools and
fences I had used in Europe weren’t yet
available in the USA.
So we imported them—and Premier
was “born.” Word spread. Soon we were
supplying products nationwide.
We adhere to these principles…
• The Golden Rule—treat customers as
we wish to be treated.
• Describe products honestly. All have
weaknesses as well as strengths. We
state both.
• Specify how and when products
should and should not be used.
• Be cautious until a product has been
field-tested. Most manufacturers
tend to exaggerate.
• Customize products and systems to
suit users’ needs.
• Never stop improving designs.
• If products don’t please, refund the
customers money and stop selling
them (or fix the design).
Are we succeeding? Well, our
competitors now copy our designs,
products and taglines. (We were the
original source of the “that works”
phrase that so many firms now use.)
That our family of customers continues
to grow each year suggests that our
efforts are appreciated.
To provide situations to test and
evaluate the products—we keep wool
sheep, hair sheep, black sheep, horses and
meat goats on 400 acres.
Two pasture poultry flocks enable us
to test our expanding range of products
and ideas.
Best wishes to all…
Stan Potratz
Jean and Stan Potratz
02 INTRODUCTION www.premier1supplies.com • 1-800-282-6631
About Premier…
What’s behind the growing interest
in backyard and pastured poultry?
• To experience truly fresh and
flavorful meat/eggs—every day.
• To preserve heritage breeds.
• To have a deeper connection for all
in the family between the soil and
the table.
• To give children a feel for naturally
produced food.
• To make a personal statement
against industrial chicken factories
and production.
These desires encompass all skill
levels—from the novice with a few
birds to the poultry fancier with
hundreds of birds and dozens of
breeds gracing their acreage.
At Premier we’ve also caught the
poultry bug—and enjoy watching hens
snatching insects behind our offices.
The less-subjective reason for
Premier’s flocks is to allow us to test,
on a daily basis, new and existing
products. As a bonus the flocks enable
the photos that we use in our catalogs,
website and other materials.
It’s our intent to source and/or
develop products that make keeping
poultry as efficient, pleasant and
beneficial as possible.
If you have a particular need for a
product or have a product idea, let
us know and we will do our best to
respond to it.
New! Products from BEC…
We’ve been asked by BEC,
manufacturer of a British range of
gamebird/poultry products, to be their
USA distributor.
They are designed by poultry and
gamebird keepers—and work well for
both indoor or outdoor use.
Ergonomically shaped handles and
easy to assemble components make
poultry keeping easier.
Feed-saving grills for feeders and
automatic drinkers reduce waste and
keep water fresh.
Poultry Products
That Work!
Front: Kolby Freeman, product consultant
for Premier, with a Premier chicken. This photo
required 5 retakes by our staff photographer,
Tharren Keith, to satisfy the girls in our graphics
department. Kolby also has chickens on the farm
she and her husband operate.
Back: Kylie Shelangoski, daughter of Premier’s
longest-serving employee Gordon Shelangoski.
Kylie, who is studying fashion design at Iowa State
University, was a Premier summer intern last year.
©2012. All rights to the use of photos, diagrams,
copy and phrases in this booklet are strictly
reserved. They may not be duplicated for use
in any form or medium without specific written
permission from Premier Sheep Supplies, Ltd.
Chicken-keeping basics…
Why raise chickens?
• They are easy to care for and
inexpensive to keep.
• For fresh meat and eggs.
How many chickens should I have?
For a novice we recommend 2 to 4
birds. That is enough birds to provide
you with experience and a steady
supply of eggs during the laying season
(not in winter).
Do I need a rooster for my hens to
lay eggs?
For fertilized eggs, a rooster must
be present. But hens cheerfully lay
eggs without a rooster—and a rooster
present is often not a good thing—as
his libido can make life “difficult” for a
small group of hens.
Two or more roosters are almost
always a disruption for a flock of hens.
They will fight each other and harass
the hens more than necessary.
How many eggs will my hen lay?
A good young hen can lay 5 eggs
per week during peak laying season
depending on her age and breed.
Older hens will produce fewer eggs.
Do chickens fly?
That depends on how you define
flying. Lighter breeds can generate
enough lift to get over a fence or up to
a tree branch or rafter, but they lack
the ability of true flight that other birds
have. Most heavy breeds are content to
stay on the ground.
Prices are subject to change without notice.
Printed December 2011.