Poultry operation proposed near Sturgis

Sturgis Township next year may become home to a commercial poultry operation that eventually could raise more than 1.6 million chickens annually.
Gregg Stevens, of Deer Creek Farms Inc., told the Sturgis Township Planning Commission this week that the operation is seeking state agriculture permits for up to six, 600-by-60 foot poultry-raising barns on land near Olnhausen Road, between Shimmel and Klinger Lake roads.
Stevens said Goshen-based Miller Poultry will provide thousands of chicks and prescribed food. Deer Creek Farms will own the barns and maintain chickens during the six weeks it takes for them to mature. The resulting five- to six-pound chicken broilers are processed by Miller Poultry for sale to retailers, including Whole Foods, Kroger and Meijer, Stevens said.
Sturgis Township officials said state agencies have permitting authority over Michigan’s commercial farm operations. That process is expected to take about six months, with site work and construction of the first barns expected next spring.