Established 1992

Owner

Jim Reichardt

Sonoma County Poultry was founded in 1992 by Jim Reichardt, a fourth generation duck farmer, in response to chefs’ demands for a larger, meatier, more flavorful duck.

Practices

“Liberty Ducks” are a strain of Pekin Duck that was developed in Denmark and is suited to a slower, less stressful style of rearing. This results in a market age of about 9 weeks as opposed to six weeks for other commercially grown birds.

Normally, birds are in close quarters. There is a big fear of disease. Jim raises ducks at a relative low density. He doesn’t give them antibiotics.

The temperate climate of Sonoma County allows for raising Liberty Ducks year-round, on straw litter, in an open environment with a minimum of intrusion. They are fed a diet that consists largely of corn and other grains.

Length of relationship with Oliveto

15 years

Location

15 acres in Two Rock, Sonoma County

Products

Ducks

Distribution

Many restaurants in the Bay Area and across the nation