Organic egg producer gains top results

Andrew Jackson farms 28,000 organic rearing and laying birds at Haresfield Farm near Chippenham, Wiltshire, and markets his eggs independently.

“The first few years were extremely hard work with many challenges. In order to build the business my objective was to grow bird numbers – we have subsequently doubled in size almost every two years,” he says.

Mr Jackson first started egg production 10 years ago on a tenanted farm near Ross on Wye. “I am not from a traditional farming background, having grown up near London. I have always preferred organic as a more traditional way of farming and so it made sense to follow that route.

“I studied organic farming at university and saw poultry farming as a good route into agriculture.”

Organic rearing

Haresfield Farm rears its own birds on site, to Soil Association standards. Popholes in the rearing house are opened when the pullets reach 8-10 weeks to allow birds outside access.

“My focus is on producing good organic eggs to meet our customers’ requirements. We therefore organically rear all our own birds to help ensure greater control, performance and independence.”

Mr Jackson holds the birds in rear for one or two extra weeks and brings the light intensity/duration up in the rearing house to match conditions in the laying house. “This has been an effective approach, helping ensure that our birds are at above target body weight when they move into our laying houses.

“It is easier to stimulate a summer organic flock than a winter flock. In summer we try to hold the birds back – we have greater flexibility to move them when they are going to be ready, bearing in mind the effect of the seasons.

“We are a multi-age site and therefore need to turnaround the rearing house quickly and efficiently; two weeks minimum, three weeks maximum. We cannot afford to be out of egg for any period of time.”

The EU Commission has recently published proposals to stop the rearing of part-organic pullets for fully-organic laying systems.

While this measure is of concern to many organic layer producers, as it means that birds will have to be let outside in rear, it is an approach that has been in place at Haresfield Farm for a number of years, and one that Mr Jackson believes is beneficial.

“Our smaller rearing flocks can be fully organically reared and allowed onto the range as soon as possible. If a bird understands that the popholes are open and they can go outside it helps to reduce stress and ensures a smoother transition from rear to lay.”

Diet and nutrition

To get the feeding regime right, Mr Jackson works closely with George Humphrey, poultry specialist from Humphrey Feeds. He is an experienced poultry stockman who offers advice during weekly farm visits, when the birds are weighed and inspected.

“The farm operates a robust and efficient system,” says Mr Humphrey. “The focus is on measures that will remove barriers which could stop the birds from coming into lay on (breed) target.”

See also: Follow the Flock – the final chapter

These include:

❚ Having a comprehensive vaccination programme to reduce the disease burden.

❚ Moving the birds a short distance from rear to lay, so maintaining body weight.

❚ Selecting the right diet to provide optimal nutrition, especially in early lay.

Once the birds at Haresfield Farm come into lay they perform well, with production consistently above 90%. “The challenge is ensuring that the birds are receiving the right amount of nutrition to maintain the required bodyweight,” says Mr Humphrey. “Once this happens we have found performance is easy to maintain.

“We have been encouraging the birds to have three feeds each morning. If the lights come on in the laying house at 5am, first feed will then be at 5.30am, then a second feed at 7.30am, followed by a third feed an hour later, to guarantee the birds have a crop full, before opening the popholes at 9am.

“As a result we have consistent and even bodyweights. There is a direct correlation between egg numbers and body weight – you need the bird to be in good condition to support excellent performance.”

The Lohmann birds are fed the Humphrey Feeds standard range of organic diets, but have full access to a range of tailored options such as the strategic use of additional sodium bicarbonate and nicotinic acid when required, which helps manage the birds stress.

“Any diet changes are gradually introduced,” says Mr Jackson. “I feel we have a better control of productivity, and have subsequently increased egg numbers. If you can manage a crop successfully to 30 weeks, on target and with no feather pecking, then the battle has largely been won.”

100% organic feed

The organic poultry sector has also raised concerns that a proposed change to 100% organic feed for layers – currently set at 95% – could add cost and be a detriment to welfare. “I do have some concerns over 100% organic diets and understand there are limitations on the feeding side. However, as an industry we need to start considering new raw materials,” says Mr Jackson.

Mr Humphrey agrees that the challenge for all feed suppliers is to look at alternative options.

“The long-term aim should be a move to 100% organic feed; however, this will take time and new product development to ensure sufficient quantities of the right organic raw materials are available to produce nutritionally balanced, welfare friendly diets.

“Providing the bird with the required nutrition and not compromising welfare should remain a key component of any diet.”

Egg marketing

As the business expands, Mr Jackson is finding egg marketing a full-time role. “I have regular meetings with businesses throughout the supply chain. Our eggs are sold to Abel and Cole, an organic food box business. This is how the majority of our eggs reach consumers. We also sell to other organic wholesalers in London and southern England.

“I started marketing my own eggs in 2011 when the organic sector was under real pressure; major packers were talking about an oversupplied marketplace and that producers should expect subsequent price cuts, or even to reduce bird numbers. This was an unpredictable and challenging period that led me to understand I needed greater independence and control in the sale of my eggs.

“The eggs are collected, graded and stamped and then delivered to the businesses with whom I have a pre-agreed contract in place. This is my preferred way of working and has proven to be good for business.”

The lasting impression from Haresfield Farm is the attention to detail and passion for farming a successful organic system.

“We have fully-beaked birds and due to lower stocking density and a stress free environment have experienced very little feather pecking and no cannibalism,” concludes Mr Jackson.

“I believe organic egg production has a favourable future. As a business, and sector, we cannot afford to stand still and should constantly look at new ways to improve bird welfare and grow performance.”