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22/11/2004
A splash of colour in the hen house
When BFREPA members Nick and Sarah Spence open the hen house door they are now greeted to the colourful sight of a flock of Cotswold Legbars and Burford Browns.
The Spences are relative newcomers to free range and have previously only had Columbian Blacktail birds, supplying eggs to Stonegate, and were planning to so again for this, their third flock. But difficulty in securing a supply of Blacktails, which Nick says have in the past returned them a very good margin, gave them the opportunity to have a go producing the turquoise, blue and olive eggs for which the Cotswold Legbar breed is famous.
The coloured egg idea was the brainchild of Philip Lee-Woolf who began marketing the speciality eggs under the Clarence Court brand. A joint venture has now been launched by Mr Lee-Woolf and Clifford Kent Ltd—the family company controlled by Stonegate chairman Michael Kent.
“We could have hung on and had another flock of Blacktails but it would have meant leaving the house empty for several months,” said Nick. “So we decided to give the coloured eggs a go—but we are keeping an open mind about flock performance.”
Nick has no complaints about the egg price on offer—a guaranteed 94 pence a dozen for the coloured eggs and £1 a dozen for the dark brown eggs produced by the Burford Browns, which are mixed in with the Legbars. But Nick is under no illusion that the project will be a certain money-spinner.
“Success will hinge on egg numbers. In theory we’ve been told they are capable of laying 240 eggs apiece and we’ve calculated that at that level profitability will be similar to the Blacktails.”
But talking to other producers who have tried the birds, Nick says there is plenty of evidence that eggs numbers can fall well short of that figure.
And it is not just the question of production levels that causes Nick and Sarah to wonder what the future may hold for their 2,000 bird flock. A requirement under the Clarence Court scheme is that the hens must not be beak trimmed.
“This is a new experience for us but early indications are good and the birds are very docile with no sign of any vices,” says Nick.
Managing director of Clifford Kent Ltd, Nick Rogers, admits that while the Legbar’s performance has been inconsistent in the past, he says the joint venture has led to a more professional approach to breed development.
“We are driving forward the genetic programme and the rearing is now being carried out under the control of Clarence Court in the company’s own facilities and under its own management,” Mr Rogers told the Ranger. “We are already seeing an improvement in the quality of pullets being placed on laying farms.”
Producers are also being supported by technical expertise that was not in place previously, claims Mr Rogers, including the provision of diets specially formulated to take into account the birds’ increased appetite.
“We are confident that both the Cotswold Legbar and the Burford Brown will perform and producers should reap the rewards,” says Mr Rogers. “We have pitched the price we pay for the eggs at a level that aims to give an improved return over standard free range.”
Demand for the Clarence Court label is increasing and with Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s all major customers, more producers are actively being sought. So if you are bored with looking at plain old brown hens and want to brighten up your farm, Mr Rogers is waiting to hear from you. Meanwhile, Nick and Sarah Spence await with eager anticipation to see how their birds perform.
“The birds are only 21 weeks old but they are looking good and have settled in well,” says Nick. “I think we could best be described as being at the hopeful stage.”
Clarence Court can be contacted on 01579 345718.
The Spences are relative newcomers to free range and have previously only had Columbian Blacktail birds, supplying eggs to Stonegate, and were planning to so again for this, their third flock. But difficulty in securing a supply of Blacktails, which Nick says have in the past returned them a very good margin, gave them the opportunity to have a go producing the turquoise, blue and olive eggs for which the Cotswold Legbar breed is famous.
The coloured egg idea was the brainchild of Philip Lee-Woolf who began marketing the speciality eggs under the Clarence Court brand. A joint venture has now been launched by Mr Lee-Woolf and Clifford Kent Ltd—the family company controlled by Stonegate chairman Michael Kent.
“We could have hung on and had another flock of Blacktails but it would have meant leaving the house empty for several months,” said Nick. “So we decided to give the coloured eggs a go—but we are keeping an open mind about flock performance.”
Nick has no complaints about the egg price on offer—a guaranteed 94 pence a dozen for the coloured eggs and £1 a dozen for the dark brown eggs produced by the Burford Browns, which are mixed in with the Legbars. But Nick is under no illusion that the project will be a certain money-spinner.
“Success will hinge on egg numbers. In theory we’ve been told they are capable of laying 240 eggs apiece and we’ve calculated that at that level profitability will be similar to the Blacktails.”
But talking to other producers who have tried the birds, Nick says there is plenty of evidence that eggs numbers can fall well short of that figure.
And it is not just the question of production levels that causes Nick and Sarah to wonder what the future may hold for their 2,000 bird flock. A requirement under the Clarence Court scheme is that the hens must not be beak trimmed.
“This is a new experience for us but early indications are good and the birds are very docile with no sign of any vices,” says Nick.
Managing director of Clifford Kent Ltd, Nick Rogers, admits that while the Legbar’s performance has been inconsistent in the past, he says the joint venture has led to a more professional approach to breed development.
“We are driving forward the genetic programme and the rearing is now being carried out under the control of Clarence Court in the company’s own facilities and under its own management,” Mr Rogers told the Ranger. “We are already seeing an improvement in the quality of pullets being placed on laying farms.”
Producers are also being supported by technical expertise that was not in place previously, claims Mr Rogers, including the provision of diets specially formulated to take into account the birds’ increased appetite.
“We are confident that both the Cotswold Legbar and the Burford Brown will perform and producers should reap the rewards,” says Mr Rogers. “We have pitched the price we pay for the eggs at a level that aims to give an improved return over standard free range.”
Demand for the Clarence Court label is increasing and with Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s all major customers, more producers are actively being sought. So if you are bored with looking at plain old brown hens and want to brighten up your farm, Mr Rogers is waiting to hear from you. Meanwhile, Nick and Sarah Spence await with eager anticipation to see how their birds perform.
“The birds are only 21 weeks old but they are looking good and have settled in well,” says Nick. “I think we could best be described as being at the hopeful stage.”
Clarence Court can be contacted on 01579 345718.
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