Our Animals

We pasture-raise all of our animals right in Hopewell, New Jersey, on over 800 acres of owned and leased land, using the best sustainable and regenerative farming practices. The farm has pigs, sheep, chicken, turkeys, and limited cattle.

The animals on the farm are raised using a rotational grazing system or in wooded lots. This means they have some access to shelter, but are primarily on the open land, moving often (sometimes twice a day!) and foraging for part or all of their diet.

Turkey

Our ruminants – sheep and cattle – are 100% grass fed. Our pigs, chickens and turkeys supplement their foraged diet with a non-GMO, locally grown feed of corn, soybeans, flax, alfalfa, and minerals.

We grind the feed ourselves, on demand, for the freshest product. We never use antibiotics or hormones.

Sheep
Spring lambs! Katahdin sheep on pasture.

Sheep

From the beginning of the farm, we have raised the Katahdin breed of sheep. A ‘hair’ sheep, they do not have wool but a coat of hair that gets a layer of dread locks in the winter.

The sheep come in all colors, and people often mistake them for goats. A medium-sized breed, the Katahdin produces superior meat when raised on pasture. Lambing season in February and March is a lesson in organization as the flock is generally increased by close to 200%.

Katahdin were a developed as a cross between what was called the ‘African Hair Sheep’ and many other traditional breeds such as Suffolk, Hampshire, and Southdown. They are named after Mt. Katahdin in Maine, which is a testament to their hearty nature and ability to withstand cold.

HERITAGE PIGS

Berkshires and Ossabaw Crosses

We focus almost exclusively on the heritage Berkshire breed of pig. Berkshires adapt very well to outdoor farming, and we raise them in wooded lots where they can dig, forage and get ample shade.

Berkshire meat is known to be rich, savory and a bit darker than the pork you’ll see in the supermarket. Artisanal Berkshire meat is the most sought-after and versatile pork in top restaurants today.

Pigs
A Berkshire hog on the left and an Ossabaw hog on the right

In addition to Berkshires, we also have some Ossabaw cross pigs. Ossabaw hogs are descended from the highly prized Iberian pig brought to our eastern shores with the Spanish explorers over 400 years ago. The flavor of this ancient breed is unrivaled.

Chickens
Laying hens in the afternoon sun

PASTURED CHICKENS

Layers and Broilers

We raise a variety of chickens for both eggs and meat and are constantly experimenting with the ideal breeds for flavor. Our egg layers are out on pasture, giving them unfettered access to daily bugs, grasses and other foraged items to enhance their locally grown non-GMO grain diet.

The layers can be found in their enclosure, over by the pigs, in the woods and basically all over the place. But they do settle in by their roosts come nightfall, under the watchful eye of their guardian dogs.

We love hanging out in the chicken area and watching the daily squabbles, dust baths, and shenanigans these ladies get up to. The meat birds, once they are old enough to be outdoors, are moved in the chicken wagon so they can forage and scratch (and provide life-giving manure to the soil).

HERITAGE Turkeys

Black Spanish and Bronzes

The turkeys are by far the most social animals on the farm. All our turkeys are bred, laid, incubated, and hatched on the farm.

They are kept in a large, covered outdoor pen until they are big enough to defend themselves against predators. After that time, they can be found roaming, flying, and strutting all over the farm – even looking into the windows of our house!

Turkeys
Bronze and Black Spanish Turkeys

We sell our Thanksgiving turkeys fresh and take pride in gracing the holiday tables of so many of our friends and neighbors, as well as our own, with the best bird anywhere. Look for our turkeys on the news in the lead up to Thanksgiving – they turn into absolute celebrities.

Great Pyrenees
Cap, a Great Pyrenees, guarding his flock.

And we don’t raise them, but…

GUARD DOGS

The farm ‘employs’ 9 guard dogs to keep predator pressure from foxes, coyotes, raccoons, hawks, and turkey vultures at bay.

We have both Great Pyrenees and Maremmas protecting our animals and it's amazing to watch them guard in such an instinctual way. Even though they work hard, they are true hams and love a belly rub!

shop our products

Butcher Retail Shopping And Direct From Farm Animal Shares

With retail shopping at Brick Farm Butcher or animal shares & large orders from Double Brook Farm, we've got you covered for all occasions with pork, lamb, chickens, and turkeys. When you buy a share of a pig or lamb, either a whole or a 1/2, you are getting all of the cuts – packaged and frozen – from the animal. Our on-farm USDA inspected facility is

NEWS & Events

Waiting out the freeze

It's been cold. Real cold. The kind of cold that has texture and sticks to you when you come inside. Alternatively, the kind of cold that lets you know if dental work is imminent. The kind of cold…well, you know how cold it's been. We have seen some intense weeks …

fine dining

A True Farm To Table Experience In A Renovated 1800’s Farmhouse

In addition to our pastured meat, Brick Farm Tavern sources from and supports the local farming community, offering a menu loaded with the best flavors of the Hopewell Valley and beyond. Coined “one of the country’s truest pasture-to-table experience” – The Tavern is the perfect showcase for how our pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, eggs, and beef shine when given gourmet treatment, and is the only

shop our products

Butcher Retail Shopping And Direct From Farm Animal Shares

With retail shopping at Brick Farm Butcher or animal shares & large orders from Double Brook Farm, we've got you covered for all occasions with pork, lamb, chickens, and turkeys. When you buy a share of a pig or lamb, either a whole or a 1/2, you are getting all of the cuts – packaged and frozen – from the animal. Our on-farm USDA inspected facility is

Order Information ›

NEWS & Events

Waiting out the freeze

It's been cold. Real cold. The kind of cold that has texture and sticks to you when you come inside. Alternatively, the kind of cold that lets you know if dental work is imminent. The kind of cold…well, you know how cold it's been. We have seen some intense weeks …

Continue Reading ›

fine dining

A True Farm To Table Experience In A Renovated 1800’s Farmhouse

In addition to our pastured meat, Brick Farm Tavern sources from and supports the local farming community, offering a menu loaded with the best flavors of the Hopewell Valley and beyond. Coined “one of the country’s truest pasture-to-table experience” – The Tavern is the perfect showcase for how our pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, eggs, and beef shine when given gourmet treatment, and is the only

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Our Mission

The Food You Want From The Farmer You Know

Double Brook Farm works every day to provide the most delicious, nutrient-dense, and responsibly raised local food in the most sustainable way possible.

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The Food You Want From The Farmer You Know

Whelp, we got the hay in and bedded down the animals. But this is going to be a loooooooong dig-out #blizzard2016
First lamb of the season! Born overnight during one of the coldest nights last week. She’s doing great. We haven’t named her yet any suggestions?
Looking for our delicious pastured meats this week? Come to the winter farmers market in Princeton this Thursday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Say hi to William at our tent and get all your provisions. Plus, there is a Valentine’s Bows & Bow Ties puppy pageant! Starting at 1 PM, you can dress up your pup in their Valentine’s Day finest and receive awards based on general cuteness. The Puppy Promenade for Halloween was hilarious and fantastic. Check out @princetonfarmersmarket for all the details
A lot of people ask how our animals are doing in this cold. While it is very frigid, the animals actually do much better in these temperatures than when it’s extremely hot. They have plenty of hay to burrow down in, and wind breaks and shelters. We check them at least twice a day to make sure their water is not frozen and that they are in good shape. Hopefully a couple more days of this deep freeze and then we can move into some balmy 20s and 30s #deepfreeze #farmlife #winterfarm #pasturedlamb #greatpyrenees #heritageturkeys
Wondering when this winter wonderland will give way to solid ground…
Life at the trough
Happy New Year from the farm!!! Wishing you peace and joy in 2026.
Merry Christmas from the farm! We wish you joy, peace, and abundant happiness and health in 2026. Delilah and Stanley wish for many scratches, brush-outs, and snuggles in 2026!
Repatriating a little guy with his flock #pasturedlamb #katahdinsheep
Look who’s headed to new pastures! Delilah and Stanley are with the rams in their wintering enclosure. Fresh chips, water, and hay makes for a great playground. #pasturedlamb #katahdinsheep #greatpyrenees
We give thanks for the birds 🦃 that will grace our tables today. #thanksgivingturkeys
Inside Edition and @stevenfabiantv making annual pilgrimage to us to talk turkey! #celebrityturkey #pasturedturkeys #thanksgiving2025🦃🍂❄️☃️🍁🥧
Last Farmer’s Market until Thanksgiving!! Get your bacon, sausage, eggs, meats and more. Yes, we are still taking turkey 🦃 orders for now. #pasturedmeats
Wondering how to get in #somanysheep🐏 #herdthat
Sheep and Reba on fresh pasture. Still a little green in there! #katahdinsheep #greatpyrenees
One of these things is not like the other. #escapee #thanksgivingtime🦃
Great visit this morning with the @goodmorningamerica team and  @ikeejiochi in the turkey pen. #pasturedturkey #heritageturkey #localturkey
Two ladies out for their morning walk today. “Never mind those pigs…so, like I was telling you…”
Star volunteer Tom Gates @gatestom ready for duty! No job too small, dirty, or smelly. But really, if he has a choice, he’d like to operate anything powered by diesel fuel!
Guest cashier at the @princetonfarmersmarket !!!
Why did the chicken cross the road? For candy, of course. Happy Halloween!
Nellie loves her work but sometimes these birds act like turkeys.
Morning, noon and night - but especially morning - these guys are always making a racket. Don’t forget to order your heritage turkey - plus sides and desserts! Follow the banner link on our homepage (in bio) to get the goods. #heritageturkey #pasturedturkey #thanksgivingturkeys🦃 @mariasmarkethopewell
Who can resist Delilah and Stanley? #greatpyrenees
Sheep headed to new pastures. #fallgrass
Scary stuff heading into Halloween! #prayingmantis
Turkey break!! The turkeys roosted on a gate and knocked it over by morning. Good thing Nellie was out keeping track.
Does your dog or cat like raw, meat from pastured animals? Buy local!! Your pets will thank you. You can find our dog food Thursdays at the @princetonfarmersmarket or order in bulk online @doublebrookfarm  #pastureddogfood #rawdogfood #localdogfood #healthydogfood
The birds are getting big! I know it’s still summer, but soon we will have ordering info for our heritage turkeys up at both @hopewellfare and our tent at @princetonfarmersmarket (stay tuned) #heritageturkeys #pasturedpoultry
Time to cut the hay, then…vacation! We waited out the crazy storms from last week and got a nice stretch of sun. #summerhay #makehaywhilethesunshines☀️
Pool time!
Yum! We have all the goods @princetonfarmersmarket today until 3pm… Don’t see what you want? Let William know and we’ll try to bring it for you next week.
Get ready to beat the heat – it’s gonna be a cooker!
Great day and great customers  @princetonfarmersmarket and already looking forward to next Thursday! #pasturedmeats
Starting TOMORROW, and every Thursday until November, we will be selling our pastured #pork #poultry #lamb and #rawdogfood at the @princetonfarmersmarket from 10am-3pm. Look for our farm manager, William, to let you in on what we have on hand and what we can special order for you. We can’t wait to bring you our locally-raised pastured meat from our regenerative Hopewell farm!
Visit to Samson to see how things are going with his new ‘job’ out in the field. He’s doing great! #springlambs🐑 #greatpyrenees #pasturedlamb
Brown dog, brown dog…wait, we don’t have any brown dogs. Miss Daisy has been frolicking deep in the mud with her new pair, Stanley. #selfcleaning #greatpyrenees
Snuggled in waiting for the warm spring days to come.
Here come the kids! Our nanny goats dropping  babies left and right as Rufo stands guard (or looks for scratches and a brush out).
Weekend visit to the chicken condos. #chickenseverywhere #pasturedeggs #readyforspring🌷
They’re back!! Eggs are back in the shelves as the girls are laying again. Look for our pastured eggs along with cuts of our pastured meats at @mariasmarkethopewell Tues-Sunday.
Jon and I were so happy to celebrate the 50th anniversary of @terhuneorchards and connect with Pam and Gary, their daughters, and extended family, friends and neighbors. It cannot be overstated what a treasure Terhune is to our community.
The puppies’ first day and night in the barn with the sheep. They will be paired with an older dog as soon as the cold weather breaks. For now they are cozy with the newborn lambs and the heat lamp. It’s a little bittersweet!
Looking for our pastured Double Brook meats or artisanal sausages and cured meats from Dougherty’s Artisanal Provisions @mariasmarkethopewell ? Looking for breakfast from the new Hopewell Farmer’s Cafe, or coffee and fresh-baked bread from @sourland_bread? Come to the new collaborative @hopewellfare at 65 E Broad for all these excellent local food items and more including pop-up Ottoburger nights, live music and other events. Check out the link in our bio for all the details and hours of the collaborators!