Daylight saving time ends April 6

 The madness of daylight saving time ends on Sunday April 6. In Victoria clocks will be turned back by one hour at 3am — they'll go to 2am. It’s all a political game because State politicians are too gutless to end stop fiddling around with our clocks. Particularly since the advent of flexible working hours,there is no need for daylight saving time which has been shown to be detrimental to the health of some – especially children.International studies have linked circadian disruption to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and even suicide.  heart attacks spike by as much as 24 per cent. A study in 2020 found that moving clocks forward one hour carries an alarming 6% increased risk of fatal traffic accidents, due to circadian scrambling and sleep deprivation. One particulr disruption for free range farms is that the hens’ egg laying body clock is set by regular daylight – so any change affects the lay rate – or the timing of laying. That, of course is not an issue for intensive producers with hen locked in sheds under controlled lighting conditions and is of no interest to selfish city dwellers.

Plans for AI to boost egg production

 Academics and big egg producers are investigating the use of high tech to increase egg production. They are using smart technology like sensors and artificial intelligence , which they say will help farmers produce more eggs while keeping their chickens healthier and happier. They use words like "developing a sensor-embedded flock management system which detects health, welfare and productivity indicators using artificial intelligence to provide community-based learning to farmers and the supply chain."The project, called Flockwise, is supported by Innovate UK, a government organization that helps UK companies develop new products and services. A much simpler system would boost production by encouraging more small-scale farm businesses which maintain bird health by keeping the flocks in natural conditions rather than in overcrowded sheds.

Let avian influenza run

 Robert F Kennedy junior is regarded by many as a nutcase. But sometimes he makes sense. The US Secretary of Health stated on Fox News that farmers "should consider the possibility of letting avian influenza run through their flocks so that the birds which are immune can be identified. He suggested that 'natural immunity' was better than contaminating birds with vaccines.

We are again one of the top egg farm blogs in the world

 

Once again, this blog has been recognised as one of the top 15 poultry blogs in the world.

New pullets have arrived

 Our latest point of lay Isa Brown pullets were delivered yesterday. They are looking great, as always. Our supplier, Yellingo Free Range hens does a terrific job raising the chooks. Thanks Kevin. As usual, we ordered a few more than we need as our replacements, which allows some pullets to be sold to locals who want hens in their backyards. All are fully beaked and have been innoculated against the main  poultry ailments Mareks disease Newcastle disease, Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), Infectious Bronchitis (IB)Infectious Laryo Tracheitis (ILT Egg Drop Syndrome (EDS) Fowl Pox (FP) contact us if you would like to order some.

Time for truth about the egg shortage

 What is the truth about a shortage of eggs in supermarkets? Producers say there are plenty of eggs  despite minor disruptions in the supply chain. Australian Eggs managing director Rowan McMonnies said there is no imbalance between supply and demand.However major supermarkets have blamed a shortage of supply as the reason behind their bare shelves.  They can’t both be right!

Avian Influenza spread by workers at intensive facilities

 Even Americans are beginning to recognise that it is the huge numbers of chickens housed for egg production that causes health problems and results in a decline in egg production, The New York Times pushed that point recently, along with the revelation that the diseases are usually a result of contamination by workers. That certainly seems to be the case with the latest outbreaks of Avian Influenza at Euroa.

Isa Brown pullets available

 Until more free range farms are established, the best way for lovers of good food is to have their own chickens to lay eggs.

Point of lay Isa Browns are available from us in Stanley Road Grantville  at $35 each. A few older hens are $20 each. 0356788483

Demand for eggs has gone through the roof and consequently there is a shortage – which in turn has led to a massive clamour from people wanting chickens for their backyards. We have been unable to meet that demand until now. From late February we will have  Isa Brown chickens available at the farm.  Email or call to place orders.