Orchard hen venture in England grows into a business selling 4.5 million eggs a year
Daniël and Karen Hoeberichts keep about 4,800 laying hens in an orchard in Forest Row, south of London, and sell around 4.5 million eggs a year, 70% bought from other organic farms. Their story shows how a small food producer expanded once the orchard could no longer hold more hens.
Farmers Daniël and Karen Hoeberichts keep about 4,800 laying hens in an orchard in Forest Row, south of London, in England. Their business, Orchard Eggs, sells around 4.5 million eggs a year, and 70% of them are bought from other organic farms. The story was reported by the agricultural outlet topagrar.
An idea rooted in fertiliser
The idea emerged while Daniël was studying biodynamic farming in the Netherlands. He talked with the owner of Brambletye Fruit Farm in England about fertilisation, and hens kept among the trees could supply the manure needed. The terms were simple: the young farmer could use about 11 hectares of the orchard for one penny per egg sold, with all manure staying on site.
In 2008 the couple began keeping 1,500 hens and 100 roosters in twelve small mobile coops, moved between tree rows every week. The venture was profitable in its first year.
Early setbacks
A company delivering organic food boxes, with which they had agreed a sale, ultimately did not take the eggs. The solution was working with a wholesaler, who accepted the eggs but paid the price of ordinary free-range eggs. In the second year almost the whole flock fell ill, about 10% of the birds died and laying stopped. The cause of the illness was never identified. The first hens resumed laying after six weeks, and four weeks later output exceeded 70%.
Own brand and eggs from other farms
Within two years the couple built up sales at markets, restaurants and bakeries under the Orchard Eggs brand, getting higher prices than for ordinary free-range eggs. Orders soon exceeded what their own flock could supply, so they began buying organic eggs from smaller farms. They now work with six suppliers, and customers know some eggs come from elsewhere. A dozen of their own eggs costs 4.40 euros, while eggs bought from other producers cost 40 cents less.
Plans ahead
They do not plan to add more hens in the orchard. The next step involves the farm of one supplier who is closing down and has no successor. The plan is to take over one house of 3,000 hens in each of the next two years, first on lease and possibly buying later.
