How John’s ‘tree range’ just grew and grew

Open pasture can be transformed into a tree covered, sheltered free range environment in less than 18 months.

The remarkable speed of the change and the beneficial effects it can have on flocks and egg production was graphically demonstrated to delegates attending this year’s free range conference in Daventry by John Widdowson, BFREPA vice chairman and creator of Britain’s newest free range brand, Woodland Eggs.

As previously reported in the Ranger John, who runs 20,000 hens on his family farm in Devon, decided to invest in tree cover to get his birds ranging better. In April 2002 he began ripping up the established pasture that his birds had used for the past decade and planted 5,500 fast growing poplar trees. Despite the fact that the trees went in as ‘sets’—simply cuttings that amount to no more than a thin stick—by late summer of this year his birds were ranging freely under the dense foliage of trees 15 feet tall.

But what also grew was the idea that if his hens so heartily approved of the environment then it should also appeal to consumers. The result was the creation of ‘Woodland Eggs’, now being supplied to Sainsbury’s stores throughout the country by his packer, Deans.

But the story began with the hens. “Over the years,” John told delegates, “in common with other producers I have found that there is a tremendous variation in ranging activity between flocks and that more often than not our flocks do not range as well as we would like.

“We owe it to the consumer to do better. Scenes of a handful of hens huddled only feet away from an industrial-looking building have done little to enhance the image of free range in the eyes of the public.

“It is essential that our industry can withstand public scrutiny. What we are doing at the moment may well have the backing of the media, the welfarists and the animal rights lobby but when they no longer have battery cages to target, the spotlight will be turned towards our sector.

“But there is another very good reason why our flocks should be encouraged to use the range. In my experience the flocks that range well are the most productive, the healthiest and suffer from least behavioural problems. Okay, so they may eat a few more grams of feed but it is a price worth paying.”

John covered forty per cent of the range area with trees planted in lines four metres apart and two metres between the trees in the rows. This works out at around one tree for every four hens. He applied for no Forestry Commission grant and is not counting on a financial return from timber. “If it happens all to the good,” he told delegates. But as far as I am concerned the trees are first and foremost for the hens.”

By eight weeks the trees were in full leaf and by last summer had already developed branches. By their second autumn they were providing the hens with continuous cover.

Maintenance has involved spraying around each tree to kill off competition for moisture from grass and topping between the rows because sheep, which in the past helped manage the pasture, have had to be kept away because of the threat to foliage and bark.

So has this ‘instant woodland’ led to more birds out on range? “The answer is a definite yes,” John told delegates. “There are more birds out for longer periods of the day and they range further from the house. We have given the birds a feeling of security that they did not have before. There’s no more dashing to the building when a crow or buzzard flies overhead.”

And John said his birds now stay out in bright sunshine—but in the shade cast by the rows of trees.

In Sainsbury’s stores across the country sales of Woodland Eggs are expected to reach £1.5 million in their first twelve months.

“I believe that planting the trees has not only improved the environment for the birds but has also enhanced the look of the farm,” said John. “You cannot fail to be impressed by the sight of a field full of hens happily foraging under the trees and I am proud to show anyone around.

“For those who haven’t already done so I would urge you to plant some trees. It doesn’t necessarily have to be on the scale I have, just a few could make a difference.”