June 7 - Phil Westwood's birthday and World Food Safety Day

 

Phil Westwood has made it to 80 today despite a few health challenges ( a severe stroke, atrial fibrillation, oedema and a bout ofCellulitis.) That limited his activities around the farm over the past 10 years or so leaving Anne to do all the work. Recently there have been disappointments with local Bass Coast Shire Councillors and a few rabid individuals masquerading as environmentalists trying to overturn a landmark achievement in the Regional Sand Extraction Strategy Lang Lang to Grantville which protected vital native vegetation and identified key biolinks for the wildlife corridor.

The Grantville community, led by Anne and Phil lobbied the Victorian Government to restrict the destruction of native vegetation, wildlife habitat and groundwater resources. The actions from Grantville Action Group Inc. resulted in The Regional Sand Extraction Strategy, Lang Lang to Grantville which protected the natural environmental values by ensuring that cumulative impacts were considered as part of landscape-scale planning rather than allowing ad hoc decisions. The State Government approved the Strategy in 1996. However Shire Councillors and Save Westernport Woodlands individuals don’t like the strategy and are determined to destroy it.

What we do at Freeranger Eggs

 Welcome to Freeranger Eggs - the home of freerange eggs in Stanley Road, Grantville Victoria. Advancing age and health problems which culminated in a stroke and atrial fibrilation for Phil basically leaves Anne to farm on her own.  The workload has been cut down by reducing to one flock of around 200 ISA Browns. An eBook is available demonstrating how our 200 acre farm was run when we had over 1000 birds Our eBook shows how to set up your own free range farm business. The huge number of shameless people around pretending that the eggs they sell are 'free range' makes it almost impossible for Australian consumers to make informed decisions. Ministers for Consumer Affairs and the Federal Minister for Small business  made the decision even more complex as their absurd 10,000 hens per hectare standard for 'free range' eggs simply ensures that NO eggs sold in major supermarkets are actually free range. Australia's mindless labelling laws, are an added problem for consumers and farmers. So if you want free range eggs, don't go to a supermarket.  Ignore logos and accreditation claims - they are usually meaningless as accreditation processes have become a joke.  Most eggs labelled as free range are from intensive production systems wth high stocking densities and  beak-trimmed birds- even the biggest corporate producers resort to buying eggs from other sources to ensure sufficient numbers to meet their contracts with supermarkets.  Freeranger Eggs was one of very few genuine free range farms in the country. We had  an outdoor stocking density of 15 - 40 hens per hectare and we only package eggs laid on our farm. The number of hens on our 200 acre ( 80 hectare) property varied but we ran a maximum of 1000, depending on the time of year and demand. The farm is registered with Agriculture Victoria. The State Government changed the rules and Councils no longer conduct farm inspections. As a low density free range farm, we are part of a boutique industry with a niche market. We operate with  a comprehensive food safety and quality assurance program and we exceed  the standards of every accreditation body in Australia.

Chickens' interactions with humans

 An article in the World Poultry Science Journal from research in France reports a review of the abilities of chickens to interact with humans. Evidence suggests that chickens are far from passive or purely instinct-driven. Instead, they exhibit rich and nuanced behavioural responses to visual, tactile and auditory human cues. Chickens can discriminate between individual humans, are sensitive to human attentional states, and can even use human social cues to guide their decision-making. Farmers who interact in a calm and positive manner with individual chickens are shown to improve wellbeing across the entire flock. Regular positive human contact reduces stress in chickens, improves immune function and egg production.

The researchers concluded that chickens learn about humans by observing their flock mates.

Talking Chickens

 Communicating with chickens on the farm has become part of everyday life for us. Few people think about hens as intelligent, however, over the years, scientists have found that this bird can be deceptive and cunning, that it possesses communication skills on par with those of some primates and that it uses sophisticated signals to convey its intentions. When making decisions, the chicken takes into account its own prior experience and knowledge surrounding the situation. It can solve complex problems and empathizes with individuals that are in danger.These new insights into the chicken mind hint that certain complex cognitive abilities traditionally attributed to primates alone may be more widespread in the animal kingdom than previously thought. It has taken researchers almost a century to figure out what is going on in the brains of chickens. The first inklings emerged from studies conducted in the 1920s, when Norwegian biologist Thorleif Schjelderup-Ebbe established that the birds have a dominance system, which he named the “pecking order” after noting that chickens will enforce their leadership by administering a sharp peck of the beak to underlings whenever they get ideas above their station. Decades later, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, categorized birds' calls and found that chickens have a repertoire of about 24 different sounds, many of which seem to be specific to certain events such as threats from birds of prey or ground predators. Interpreting their different calls is fun for us, but often a matter life or death for them.

International recognition for Freeranger Eggs blog

 Our Blog has again been recognised internationally as  one of the Top 90 Poultry Blogs on the web. We are  listed in Feedspots2026 Edition.FeedSpot helps you find the best blogs on the web. 

https://bloggers.feedspot.com/

https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwGUe4%2B0Z6d0RGfZP1u8OwO6TYSfzJRklWRQIIMjeRADvlVAYKFjfF0oJ%2BVkJHlbC451W4iZUJh1ZFg5F%2BxtR%2B%2FNdKBkbShUQTgjSGs%2FiGcWzZQ8SKVcU7kvW9FT%2BJkX17Z5KHB1T3d1ZHQVL1u9EAO%2BVUBgoRBcgURAEXQ4fFA%3D%3D

Health benefits for free range hens

 Most people know that domestic chickens have been selectively bred to lay an egg almost every day throughout their adult production life. They may not know that this places significant strain on the calcium metabolism in their bones. Research at the University of New England has shown that behavioural and physical impacts of housing systems begin during pullet development, but exercise is important throughout lay for maintaining bone strength. Free-range systems improve bone strength for those hens that range more, indicating that outdoor ranging can have long-term impacts on hen behaviour and subsequent skeletal health.

How to start a free range farm

 Free range farms need to be set up close to townships so customers don’t need to travel far to buy fresh produce. If you’ve ever thought about setting up your own free range farm, wait no longer. Our eBook on establishing a free range egg farm is available at any time. At a cost of just $245. It is a low-cost way of providing all the ideas and tools needed to establish your egg business and will help you prepare your own application to your local Shire to set up a free range farm. There's no need to engage a costly consultant to write the application for you. Free range egg production is a niche market which is why genuine free range eggs are never found in supermarkets Once payment is made, the eBook will be emailed as a Portable Document File (PDF). send payment to our  Bendigo Bank account.P &A Westwood BSB 633 000 Account 153356233

Proper farm management ensures clean eggs

 We are still getting questions from customers about washing eggs and if eggs should be stored in a refrigerator The answer to both is NO!

Eggs should never be washed even though American egg farms wash their eggs before sending them to market, in the mistaken belief that it will minimise the spread of any salmonella bacteria on the outside of the egg. They ignore the fact that washing removes a cuticle from the surface of the egg- a natural barrier which helps keep the inside of the egg free from bacteria. After washing, eggs should be oiled and must be refrigerated so that any bacteria the eggs come in contact with post-washing doesn't have a chance to invade the egg. In Australia and many other countries, eggs are not washed as a matter of course which means that
the cuticles will keep the egg’s interiors safe from any bacterial invasion for at least a couple of weeks at room temperature. Washing eggs generates more potential health problems. If eggs are so dirty that they need to be washed before sale, there is a flock management problem which the producer needs to rectify. Nest boxes and laying sheds must be kept clean with hens on fresh pasture (rather than on mud or manure).At Freeranger Eggs. Our management ensures that nestboxes are cleaned regularly with fresh woodshavings in each nest. Eggs are collected and packaged every day. If eggs are stored in a fridge, remove them and let them reach room temperature before using in a recipe.

Yolk colour additives

 Yolk colour is often seen by consumers as an indication of egg quality, but very few people  realise that yolk colour simply reflects the type of feed provided for the hens. Natural carotenes in green pasture and corn provide an excellent feed source. But large scale egg farms manipulate yolk colour by adding special manufactured pigment pre mixes to their poultry feed.

This enables brighter, more consistent yolk colour at lower inclusion rates, reducing overall pigmentation costs. Yellow egg colour technology is a significant part of the feed manufacturing process as producers try to enhance yolk colour in line with consumer expectations.

Cross-flow ventilation essential in poultry sheds

 Temperature control and good ventilation are essential for bird health on any egg farm. Ideal freerange housing provides ample shelter and good cross-flow ventilation in sheds with small flocks. Major production facilities with many thousands of birds in sheds require massive fans and cooling systems to prevent contamination and an extreme heat build-up causing mortalities in the sheds.Ammonia, temperature and humidity are fundamental air quality concerns in poultry housing.The main feature of course is for the hens to enjoy unrestricted access to the vegetated range.

Eating eggs lower risk of Alzheimers disease

 

A recent university study in Canada found that eating one or more eggs per week correlated with a 47% reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study found that participants who ate an egg or more every week were less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. These results are similar to those of a study in Finland that reported that individuals with a high egg consumption had better cognitive function than those with low egg intake.

 Researchers credit choline—a vital nutrient in whole eggs—as a key factor. Along with omega-3 fatty acids and lutein, also in eggs, choline has been shown to promote brain health and,  is linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.  

Chickens in backyards

 Chickens are gregarious creatures who like to live in small groups.Keeping chickens in a backyard sounds simple enough, but they need things to keep them occupied as well as food and water. Young hens can fly, so if they don’t like where they are, they are likely to fly out of the yard or pen. Fences need to be at least six feet high to contain them and keep out intruders.

The meaning of Free Range

 Welcome to Freeranger Eggs - the home of freerange eggs in Stanley Road, Grantville Victoria. This blog demonstrates how our 200 acre farm is run and  our eBook shows how to set up your own free range farm business. The huge number of shameless people around pretending that the eggs they sell are 'free range' makes it almost impossible for Australian consumers to make informed decisions. Ministers for Consumer Affairs and the Federal Minister for Small business  made the decision even more complex as their absurd 10,000 hens per hectare standard for 'free range' eggs simply ensures that NO eggs sold in major supermarkets are actually free range. Australia's mindless labelling laws, are an added problem for consumers and farmers. So if you want free range eggs, don't go to a supermarket.  Ignore logos and accreditation claims - they are usually meaningless as accreditation processes have become a joke.  Most eggs labelled as free range are from intensive production systems wth high stocking densities and  beak-trimmed birds- even the biggest corporate producers resort to buying eggs from other sources to ensure sufficient numbers to meet their contracts with supermarkets.  Freeranger Eggs is one of very few genuine free range farms in the country. We have  an outdoor stocking density of 15 - 40 hens per hectare and we only package eggs laid on our farm. The number of hens on our 200 acre ( 80 hectare) property varies but we run a maximum of 1000, depending on the time of year and demand. The farm is registered with Agriculture Victoria. The State Government changed the rules and Councils no longer conduct farm inspections. As a low density free range farm, we are part of a boutique industry with a niche market. We operate with  a comprehensive food safety and quality assurance program and We exceed  the standards of every accreditation body in Australia. Talk to us if you would like to set up your own free range egg business.

Beat the egg shortages

 

Free range farms need to be set up close to townships so customers don’t need to travel far to buy fresh produce.Anyone who has ever thought about setting up their own free range farm need wait no longer. Our eBook on establishing a free range egg farm is available at any time. At a cost of just $245. It is a low-cost way of providing all the ideas and tools needed to establish your egg business and will help you prepare your own application to your local Shire to set up a free range farm. There's no need to engage a costly consultant to write the application for you. Free range egg production is a niche market which is why genuine free range eggs are never found in supermarkets Once payment is made, the eBook will be emailed as a Portable Document File (PDF). send payment to our  Bendigo Bank account.P &A Westwood BSB 633 000 Account 153356233

Low temperatures cause drop in free range production

 Changes in temperature are just one  factor which affects the health of chickens and impacts egg production. Cold stress is an important management factor in regions where winter temperatures drop below 18 ° which is why most hens are kept locked in climate controlled sheds.On genuine free range farms, hens have unrestricted access to outdoor pasture. Although range areas may provide shelter with shrubs and other vegetation, egg production is inevitably affected.

A recent international study study investigated the effect of low temperature on laying performance and egg quality, . Low temperatures significantly increased live body weigh and feed intake, ambient environmental temperature below 16 °C results in negative effects on poultry production performance, such as egg production, egg mass, and egg quality.

Don't be fooled by yolk colour

At some times of year yolk colour will not be as vibrant as usual.  It is usual  for  green feed to disappear from  paddocks with the heat of summer or the cold of winter. The carotenes in green grass help to produce vibrant, bright yolks. To fool their customers, most egg producers put manufactured colouring additives in their poultry feed to maintain an illusion, some people have allergic reactions to the colourings and conclude that eggs are bad for them. It's not eggs causing the problems.  We refuse to adulterate the food we give our hens. So always expect variations in yolk colour. Be suspicious if the yolk colour is always the same (even within a one dozen egg pack).

Many of those additives are synthetic - adding to the chemical cocktail mix in food. But even those which are claimed to be 'natural'  can present health problems. They may be derived from natural products but they are manufactured in factories – often in China.

Three of the most widely used egg yolk pigmenters are:

Canthaxanin or Canthaxanthin which appears to be an unsafe additive. It can cause violent diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, dry and itchy skin, hives, and other side effects such as breathing problems; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat; a skin rash or hives and is particularly dangerous for pregnant or breast-feeding women or people allergic to vitamin A or carotenoids.

Capsicum

Allergic reactions to capsicum may occur. People should stop eating eggs with capsicum-based colouring and seek emergency medical attention if they experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives.

Other less serious side effects have also been reported such as upset stomach; migraine; heartburn; diarrhea; or burning sensation in the mouth or throat.

Use of Capsicum is not recommended for pregnant women.

Marigold

Some people experience breathing problems, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat. A skin rash or hives may occur.

Be more self-sufficient

 Current food and fuel shortages caused by war in the Middle East has brought home to many people the benefits of self-sufficiency, Grow your own food.

Australia’s food is mainly produced in rural areas and consumed in our cities, where most of the population lives. To chase sales, many food producers create high production by following intensive growing systems. However, top quality food is usually provided by low-volume producers following traditional farming methods with limited or no chemical inputs.The Freeranger Eggs farm at Grantville in Australia is an example of sustainable farming. The farm management plan takes a three pillars approach to how the farm operates. Animal welfare is one pillar, but equally important are land sustainability and food safety. Anne and Phil Westwood have encouraged similar free range farms to be set up around Australia.

The concept is to minimise the environmental footprint of egg production whilst maximising quality for consumers. Small scale production results in better animal health by effective disease control compared with intensive animal husbandry . It also allows the eggs to reach consumers far more quickly than industrial systems where eggs spend weeks or even months in warehouses.

Eggs to order

 Eggs laid on our family farm are supplied to customers within a day or two. You'll never find fresher eggs. As the hens are raised on pasture with a natural diet and total free-range access 24/7, there are no tastier eggs. You will never find our eggs in a supermarket. the eggs are laid to order, and we only supply local regular customers.Order by phone or email. At times we also have hens available for people who want their own fresh eggs .  As a result of our farming methods, the farm has a very low carbon footprint  making our eggs better than carbon neutral,they are carbon negative. our farm received international recognition in 2012 when we won the Energy Globe award for Australia. The International Energy Globe Awards (the World  Awards for Sustainability) have been presented annually in Austria since 1999 to recognise projects that 'make careful and economical use of resources and employ alternative energy sources.' ​ Demand for our eggs is always greater than the supply available so  new customers need to order in advance.Each week we are beset by IT firms offering SEO services which they claim will boost our sales. Clearly that is impossible as we already sell everything we produce and have no spare eggs looking for  intermittent customers.

More farms needed close to townships

 

Free range farms need to be set up close to townships so customers aren't forced  to travel far to buy fresh produce.if you’ve ever thought about setting up your own free range farm, wait no longer. Our eBook on establishing a free range egg farm is available at any time. At a cost of just $245. It is a low-cost way of providing all the ideas and tools needed to establish your egg business and will help you prepare your own application to your local Shire to set up a free range farm. There's no need to engage a costly consultant to write the application for you. Free range egg production is a niche market which is why genuine free range eggs are never found in supermarkets Once payment is made, the eBook will be emailed as a Portable Document File (PDF). send payment to our  Bendigo Bank account.P &A Westwood BSB 633 000 Account 153356233

Set up your own free range farm

 Strong consumer demand for genuine free range eggs has generated a big increase in the number of people thinking about starting their own free range egg business. A good starting point is reading an eBook on starting a free range farm available from us at Freeranger Eggs. Detailed information is available about things like shed requirements, food safety, egg packaging and labelling. When deciding to set up a free range egg farm, take the time to plan it properly. With the right zoning of your land, keeping chickens may be an as-of-right use. Find out the zoning of the land and talk to your local Council planning department about their requirements. Planning authorities have guidelines which allow applicants and planners to meet requirements for establishing a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm with a capacity of no more than 5000 birds.

A development plan needs to contain the information that planners expect from a planning application. It outlines the way in which the facility will be sited, built and managed to meet the objectives and standards of the guidelines. Prepare your own planning application, rather than employ a consultant : Contact us freeranger@dcsi.net.au