To find out more about where Eatlocal's fabulous free-range eggs start their journey to your fresh produce box, I had the pleasure of visiting Lamond Farm in Charing Cross, Canterbury.
Lamond Farm is run by Andy and Felicity Lamond, who have an incredible, high-tech grading system to ensure each egg is weighed and sized with perfect consistency. Every egg goes through a process called “candling,” where a light is passed through it to reveal any impurities that might otherwise be invisible to the naked eye.
Felicity and I walked out to the sheds, through the paddocks, accompanied by her two lovely dogs. As I looked behind me, I felt like the chicken equivalent of the Pied Piper, with this trail of clucking hens following on behind!
There are approximately 15,000 hens on the 20-hectare farm, plus a flock of sheep and a goat that the girls hang out with when they are outside.
Chickens are highly social creatures, and interacting with other friendly animals can help them stay curious and mentally stimulated.
Here’s a precious one-day-old lamb, closely guarded by its protective mama—she even stamped her hoof to warn me not to come any nearer
Chickens are naturally curious, so it’s no surprise to see them peck at anything that catches their eye—especially if it’s shiny, brightly coloured, or something new in their environment. While they may not go out of their way to seek shiny objects like magpies do, they love exploring with their beaks, and anything sparkly is fair game. They couldn’t get enough of the buckle on my gumboots, pecking away at it when I stood still!
They were quite a vocal bunch, as you can hear! Apologies for the shocking sound quality! A windy day and all those happy hens... I didn't stand a chance!
Big shout-out to Felicity Lamond for taking the time to share her expertise and show me around her free-range poultry farm. I learned so much, and I’m even more amazed at the care and dedication that goes into raising happy hens!
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