Liz and her much loved ‘girls’
Producing eggs is mostly an enjoyable business for Liz Vickers senior, of the local Vickers farming family. Liz grew up on a local farm and married the farmer next door.
A small flock of hens
To contribute to the farm’s food production, Liz has a small flock of hens. They are ready to lay when she buys them at about 16 to 18 weeks old. They have simple, but important basic needs should you be thinking about having some hens yourself!
Kept safe and comfortable
As well as water and the correct food, they also need sunlight when it’s available, space to behave normally,(foraging for example), to be kept safe and well, and to be able to lie down comfortably at night, perching as they would in the wild in trees.
Dust bathing is important too; www.thehappychickencoop.com/all-about-chicken-dust-baths/
It’s compassionate farming, unlike the farms with hens in cruel cages. See Egg Production & Battery Hen Welfare | RSPCA – rspca.org.uk
There are two unwelcome challenges.
The first is the number of regulations and endless forms to complete.
The second is their main predator. Liz loves foxes. They are magnificent animals.
The problem is that instead of coming out at dusk to feed, when the hens are safe in their hen house, they now come out in the day.
They can get through very small gaps or over the electric fencing. Liz had a fox get into the hens’ area earlier in the year, and as well as 17 hens killed, the rest were very traumatised. It was heartbreaking.
The changed behaviour of the foxes isn’t helped by people putting out food in the daytime instead of dusk, but they have changed their habits too, coming into villages and towns. A big challenge.
Farming gives Liz immense pleasure, the pure wonder of new life, beautiful animals, the amazing discoveries about soil, and appreciating the amazing creativity of God.
Julie Fagan, volunteer, Sustainable Harborough Community and Eco Churches
Letter to the Editor – Margaret Budd – Oct ’24
