True free ranging

[Pork Pie]

I would be interested in talking to whoever set this free range scheme up.
They will I expect get hens that will lay away from the barns.
They must also have factored in predator losses.
I know of a couple of large free range egg and meat producers in Hertfordshire (UK) and they have decent perimeter fencing with an internal electric fence to keep foxes and dogs out. So the price of the extra security and extra man hours is reflected in the egg price.
Even so, given an average of 6 grams of protein per egg, a carton of six is comparable to ethically produced meat.
I think we are so accustomed to cheap eggs and meat that paying up to double the price for these products when imported non free range is stocked and sold cheaply at the supermarkets is a hard sell.
I don't suppose there is any chance of you getting a look inside one of the barns and taking a few pictures is there @CCUK?

From what I have seen on tv, the birds tend to be kept in the barns until around 1pm (i.e. after typical laying times) and then allowed to range and do their thing until darkness raises its depressing head.

 

[Pork Pie]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to name this company but they are one of the larger food manufacturers in uk. They provide eggs for other well known companies to manufacture there products. Mayonnaise being one I know of! They don't just have chicken farms they also have fresh produce from the field that goes direct to the supermarkets.

Hel-mans, surely not

 

[itsasmallfarm]

That's what people here in Los Angeles are paying too for commercially produced eggs. But there are those who will voluntarily pay more IF they believe animals are being treated humanely. And that's what I heard was driving the demand up there.

When I lived up there in the 80s I made my monthly drive to Bellingham, WA for things too. I was aware of the demand for US prices on mail, gasoline and dairy products. For me, it was what the kids saw on American TV commercials that they just had to have. At the time, that included Happy Meal toys as Canadian fast food spots skipped those promotions.

I used to buy dozens of Happy Meals, chuck the food and take the toys back to the neighborhood. A happy, if odd, memory!

During my most recent residence 5 or 6 years ago currency was at near parody. I'm sorry it's taken a tumble.

did not know we skipped the happy meal toys back then but then again i was born in 99.

there are reasons are currency has taken a tumble (both internal and external causes) some provinces got hit worse then others.

but back on topic. also another issue with true free range eggs is that quota system we have up here. in my province we are allowed 299 egg layers, 99 turkeys and 999 meat chickens with out buying into quota. (ducks and geese have no quota system) so even for the start up farmers who don't or can't buy into quota they are very limited on the supply then can have.

 

[IamRainey]

I never knew about a quota system. What province is that? And what is the quota aimed at protecting or balancing?

I lived in BC -- about the most beautiful place on the planet!

 

[itsasmallfarm]

I never knew about a quota system. What province is that? And what is the quota aimed at protecting or balancing?

I lived in BC -- about the most beautiful place on the planet!

i live in Saskatchewan. and as far as i know ever province now has some sort of quota system. there reason is to protect the market for surplus and shortages.

 

[CCUK]

Hel-mans, surely not

That'd be them!

 

[CCUK]

Free range eggs in uk widely vary in price. I'm guessing that the cheaper end of the free range market would be the not so free range as you'd like type and the true free range/organic/pasture raised will be the more expensive. There is a farm produce stall up the road from me. He has a market stall at the side of his fields and I can buy fresh fruit and veg. He also sells eggs that come from a different free range farm, they sell for £1.50 for six or you can buy a tray of 24 for £5. Caged hen eggs sell in the supermarket for as little as 50p for 6.

 

[Shadrach]

Hel-mans, surely not

If Hell Boy can make a profit with such a system then there is hope other large concerns may follow.
I'm wondering about if the chickens are battery chicken let loose....that must be a bit of a shock and who Hell Boy sells the chicken to after peak laying is over.
Maybe we'll see pasture raised chicken on pet food advertisements.

 

[CCUK]

who Hell Boy sells the chicken to after peak laying is over

People like me!

 

[Shadrach]

People like me!

If only that were true.