People are increasingly interested in where their food comes from and the conditions in which it is produced. Felicity von Moos, of Drummond, has the answers when it comes to her own passion – free-range chickens and their eggs. Story and Photographs by Jenny Goshawk.
Even the best breeders keep hens in artificial light in confined spaces, explains Felicity, so the changeover to free-range conditions is traumatic for them.
“When they come to me, at about 17 weeks old, they take a while to discover their legs because they have only ever stood on wire. They are so scared when the sun goes down that they make a keening noise, like babies crying. It takes about three days before they learn to do what chickens do naturally – to socialise, scratch, forage, dig, and stretch out in the sun.
I’m shocked to discover that battery hens are de-beaked by machine so that they cannot fight. “One third is removed so they can eat but not peck: but they only fight because they are crammed together and bored, since they can only stand or sit. It is absolutely unacceptable.” Felicity’s fervour is apparent. “I hate animal cruelty in any form.
At night, or when it’s very hot, Felicity’s 2 000 lucky chickens are inside airy henhouses complete with food, water, perches and laying crates. Their bedding is grass freshly cut from the farm, which is later recycled as compost to a local nursery. There are no flies and no awful smells.
At 5.30 each morning, Felicity calls “Come, girls!” and opens up. “It still takes my breath away to see them rush outside so joyously. They are such happy creatures – there’s no squawking, just a contented clucking.” One of their favourite spots is under a shady avocado tree, where they can dig in the dirt. “When an avo falls, they have a picnic,” laughs Felicity, who used to raise free-range broilers, but disliked the culling and quick turnover.
Eggs from hens raised like this are said to be more nutritious than from those confined in factory farms, with less cholesterol and more Omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene and Vitamins A and E. Felicity believes they taste much better, too. “I don’t need to use antibiotics because there is no overcrowding and they are not stressed. I aim to give them a relaxed, natural, good life. It’s not all about the bottom line.” That is apparent when she points out her “retirees”, hens who are too old to lay but still potter happily around. She encourages visitors, especially children, to visit and discover where eggs come from.
Free-range eggs are slightly more expensive because of the labour involved – Felicity has a team of five helpers – but she thinks more people should undertake this type of farming. “Mass production is never a good thing. My motto is ‘Farming with a conscience’, so my chickens are treated like animals rather than just egg-laying machines – and I have the best office in the world!
Useful numbers: Sunshine Farm 031 783 4315 or 083 628 1150
3 Comments
Fantastic Eggs ,have bought at 1000 Hills Spar , Please can I buy two old hens for retirement on our plot. We have various breeds ,trying to introduce variety of blood lines ,would love to have some Hy-Line hens.
TIM 071 672 0318.
Thank You
Where might I buy free range eggs in Durban
Hi Betsy, free range eggs are widely available from most grocery stores. Felicity’s Sunshine Farm eggs are available at the Veggie Shop at the Mushroom Farm in Assagay, amongst other places.