You chicken chaps....

[AJB Temple]

Can you still buy locally reared free range chicken? I'm talking about proper free range, not supermarket "let's pretend". I'm wondering if we are seeing the end approaching. Our quality butchers (he's also a farmer) tell me that no one is producing genuine free range, slow grown chicken any more in Kent - the garden of England and a big county. The other top nothch butcher we use says the same. The reason being too many outbreaks of bird flu, followed by culling. We used to get almost all of ours (maybe three or four birds a week so not a lot) from an old lady farmer just a couple of miles away who kept a small flock, pasture raised, no antibiotics, slow grown and a very reasonable price. She's now stopped because she says the DEFRA / APHA constant bureaucracy makes it too much trouble.

We have started buying the eye wateringly expensive Sutton Hoos as an alternative and they are very good but double the cost.

Prices just seem to continue to shoot up for top quality produce. Lamb is on a sharp upward curve as Easter approaches and grass fed beef wholesale is now what it was retail two and a half years ago. One butcher in Tunbridge Wells who shall remain nameless has fillet beef priced at retail £98 kg.

I had not realised this but everyone who keeps chickens, even as a pet, has to register them with DEFRA / APHA since 1 October 2024. I was thinking (endless prevarication) of raising our own meat and layer birds but not sure I can deal with the admin.

 

[Windows]

As you say the new rules to combat bird flu mean that you cannot have birds that are in the open and able to mix with wild birds. And I think all bird ownership requires registration now doesn’t it?

The good news for those plagued by shooting estates releasing thousands of pheasants on to local roads is that releases are also banned by the new rules.

 

[Blackswanwood]

As I understand it although you do need to register if you keep less than 50 birds (the requirements are more stringent if you have 50 or more) it is just so that APHA can keep you informed if there is an outbreak of disease which may impact the birds. Bird flu is the obvious current issue and opinions vary on whether the tactics being deployed are wise or not - it’s not dissimilar to the bickering about Covid if you happen to be in a pub with a vet from DEFRA and someone with a menagerie which I experienced last week!

 

[Phil Pascoe]

We have started buying the eye wateringly expensive Sutton Hoos as an alternative and they are very good but double the cost.

Bearing in mind they've probably been fed and looked after for six months I'm surprised it's only double.

I once had a maran cockerel killed by a fox, it was warm when I picked it up. It had I believe put up a good fight, the carcass was torn to shreds but the legs were untouched. I cut them off and took them to my grandmother after weighing them out of curiosity. 4½lbs.

 

[wallace]

With regard to meat have you thought about buying direct? I've seen what looks like a genuine farmer who sell their own meat butchered direct to the public. It was on tiktok, you could get full sides prepped into the various cuts. It certainly looked like the real deal.

 

[AJB Temple]

I don't have an issue with beef, pork or lamb Wallace, I buy wholesale from a butcher who farms his own beef heard and keeps pigs, and his neighbour does the lamb. We've visited both farms (near Igtham Mote). Lim bull, put to various stock such as Dexters and Herefords. Chicken is the problem as we are trying to use local - so within Kent ideally.

I can buy Sutton Hoos direct (they are a big operation now) but to get wholesale price I have to buy a box: which is more than I want usually. Oddly enough one of our customers who lives in London was quite critical of the Suttons: thinks they have declined in quality. It's a big operation now apparently.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Keep your own?

 

[AJB Temple]

Keep your own?

We decided not viable. We spend significant blocks of time in Germany and Netherlands.

 

[HappyHacker]

I knew a lady who was, pre covid, doing organic free range chickens in Shropshire and was selling them at farmers markets for about £18 each. I do not think she is in business now. She would have found it very difficult to keep them in during the Avain Flu restrictions and Covid restrictions would have messed with her business model.

The last two of my flock were taken, I assume by a fox, two days ago. I will not be getting any more. having twice been in a 3 kM restriction zone with vet inspections and keeping them undercover its just too much bother. The vet inspections needed a full biohazard process of dressing and undressing protective overalls, gloves, mask and wellingtons. The first time was for two birds and the second time for eight. It must have cost a fortune.

A friend and neighbour wanted to move three chickens about 100 miles when he moved house. Due to being in the 3kM restriction zone DEFRA said NO. However if he was a commercial breeder there would be no problem. His choices were: put them down or move them and risk imprisonment and an unlimited fine. He persuaded them to let him move them within the zone a couple of hundred yards to me. A vet inspection was needed before they were moved, he persuaded the vet that he did not need to come and see mine. it did require separate housing and enclosure.