On the farm!!!

G'day All,

I have now been on the farm one week and am extremely busy. My chook sheds arrive in about two weeks and my first flock of 600 chooks arrives mid December. My gorgeous dogs Negro and Roja have settled in well, but have already broken into the coup twice and eaten all the eggs! lol

I've already set up a mini-flock in my orchard with 20 chickens so will shortly be selling at a local shop!

I am having fun with my new toys, such as a quad bike, Suzuki Siera, chain saw and whipper snipper.

The property is incredible. Every day I take a long walk with the dogs and so far we have seen: many kangaroos; wombats; numerous rosellas, kookaburras, parrots, cockatoos; a dead kitten; a dead fox; and six incredible views from the hills and cliffs on my property.

I've earmarked a gorgeous camping spot, mapped out my nine hole golf course and am planning to build: a secret garden around the house; plant many more tress in the orchard (there are currently about 20); plant a veggie patch; make a giant swing from a tree near the dam; plus numerous other cool stuff.

I've met a couple of my neighbours and went to a BBQ lunch and met some more neighbours today which was great!

Cheers,

Dan

G'day All,

Just a quick update that I have had my offer accepted on a property and my finance has been approved, so just the planning permit to go! All going well I will move onto the farm in late October and start producing eggs in January.

Below is a link to an article about proposed changes to "free range" egg requirements in Australia. It is extremely disappointing that making a buck is placed ahead of: the consumer; the genuine free range farmers; the environment and of course the welfare of the hens.

http://www.news.com.ag/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=335:egg-wars-the-australian-egg-corporation-changes-qfree-rangeq-rules&catid=2:news-wires&Itemid=24

It is possible to make a profit while producing genuine free range eggs!

Cheers,
Dan

G'day Everyone,

After viewing many properties over the past three months I am very close to making and offer on a property, so am still on target for production in early 2011!

I also discovered a new organisation in Australia that has been set up to promote the cause for animal welfare. Good luck to the Animal Justice Fund! A link to their website is below:

http://www.animaljusticefund.org/

Cheers,
Dan

Free Range Eggs, some interesting reports!!!

G'day Everyone,

Choice.com.au has some interesting points about free range egg production in Australia:

"Do you pay extra for free-range eggs hoping the chooks that laid them have a better life? Or maybe there’s a chance that they’ll taste better or be more nutritious than cage eggs?
The cartons may have pictures of happy hens roaming in lush green paddocks but the reality of free-range eggs can be very different. The industry is dominated by three big producers (Novo, Pace Farm, Manning Valley) who account for well over half the free-range eggs sold in Australia.
Their "free-range" eggs are produced on a truly industrial scale and some come from flocks of up to 120,000 birds. These hens may be housed in huge sheds, they may never find the door to go outside and their eggs come off conveyor belts. "

Checkout the full report on the link below!

http://www.choice.com.au/Reviews-and-Tests/Food-and-Health/Food-and-drink/Organic-and-free-range/Free-range-eggs/Page/Introduction.aspx

This Sustainable House also has some great ideas, checkout their story on the following link:

http://www.thissustainablehouse.com.au/index.php/animals/34-chickens/46-free-range-eggs


A Table For Two has completed a taste test on free range vs caged eggs, but it is up to your morality to which you choose. Checkout the results at:

http://www.atablefortwo.com.au/2008/07/25/egghead-cage-vs-free-range-taste-test/

Happy and healthy eating!

Cheers,
Dan

REAL Free Range Eggs farm starting production soon!

G'day Health Conscious Consumer!

My name is Dan Green and I will soon be starting my own free range egg farm in beautiful South Gippsland!!!

I am in the planning stage at the moment and will be producing eggs from early 2011.

I will be farming in a environmentally friendly manner, rotating my flocks between paddocks to allow for natural regeneration of the earth and will aim for accreditation with the Free Range Farmers Association of Victoria.

My chickens will:
Roam freely around pasture.
NOT de-beaked.
Have 24 hour access to food, fresh water, and shelter.
Dust bathe as they desire.
NOT feed hormones or artificial additives.
Be protected by their own Maremma dog & flexible electric fences.

Mother Earth Magazine (Nov. 2007) reports that pasture grazing chickens produce eggs that can contain:
1/3 less cholesterol
1/4 less saturated fat
2/3 more vitamin A
2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
3 times more vitamin E
7 times more beta carotene

Be careful with your choice of free range eggs, as the mass producers may use production methods which are not what you might imagine them to be! Checkout the Free Range Farmers' website http://www.freerangefarmers.com.au/ for a list of accredited producers in Victoria and lots of interesting information.

If you own a business which uses eggs and you want a supply that is produced in a humane and environmentally sensitive manner please email me at: RealFreeRangeEggs@gmail.com

Cheers,
Dan Green