As part of the diversification of the business, we strive to find opportunities that fit within or can be run in parallel to our existing business.
We started growing chickens 7 years ago in a purpose built site which enables us to achieve high standards of welfare and a great environment over which we have full control.
The chickens we produce supply a range of markets depending on the seasonal demand. The system works well with our existing farming business as we use wheat off the farm for feed and the manure is used on the fields as organic fertiliser.
The site has a large heating demand for which we utilise two Biomass 1 megawatt boilers – The fuel is a waste wood which would other wise be put into landfill. This wood is sourced primarily from building sites, then chipped up and mixed with arbitorial waste and fed into the boilers. Alongside the boilers we have a 250kw pv system mounted on the roofs of the sheds which enables us to be about 30% self-sufficient for electricity.
At the end of each growing cycle the units are professionally cleaned out by an outsourced company and sterilised before the next placement of chickens are delivered.