Perry's Bridge Farm, Lydford on Fosse (1UK 20075)
Built in 2007, the free range egg unit at Perry's Bridge Farm has been a new venture for the Sharp family. Dad Mark, mum Rachel, Lucy and Jack have found the change to free range egg production both challenging and rewarding. The farm is a family affair with Mark and Rachel running the unit and sharing the egg collecting and other duties around the farm such as keeping the grass down. Jack uses the sit on lawn mower, whilst Lucy keeps the grass down with her ponies.
Stocked with Lohmann Brown hens, the unit is designed to give the hens the best possible environment to be happy and healthy and therefore to lay lovely eggs. It is light and airy with ample roosting and nesting areas and gives the hens the freedom to scratch around indoors or roam around outdoors. Fresh water is piped throughout the shed and food is transported to all the birds regularly during the day ensuring a constant and fresh supply.
The hens have all day access to 40 acres of grassland where they can dust bathe or just enjoy a stroll in the fresh air. Trees have been planted to provide shelter and cover for the hens and the grass is kept short to allow them to peck through happily. The majority of the birds stay close to the house, but some are far more adventurous and will wander to the far reaches of the field.
The eggs are collected by a conveyor belt system directly from the nest boxes to the packing room ensuring that they are all removed daily, are as clean as possible and can be packed with the least amount of handling.
"Choosing Blackacre Farm Eggs as our packer has been a good decision. They are local to us and supply local shops too, which keeps the distances to a minimum. They are an excellent company to work with and nothing is too much trouble. Our first year has been brilliant and we look forward to many more."
Mark and Rachel Sharp.
Additional Images
