Free Range Chooks
7 years 6 months ago #521722 by CatandRon
Free Range Chooks was created by CatandRon
Hi Everyone
We are new to this site and are looking forward to receiving lots of great info from all the like minded folks on this site.
My first post here is to ask if anyone has ever set up a freerange egg supply bussiness and if so did you go through the whole compliance senario with MPI? or did you just flying under the radar?
Your thoughts and experiences would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Ron
We are new to this site and are looking forward to receiving lots of great info from all the like minded folks on this site.
My first post here is to ask if anyone has ever set up a freerange egg supply bussiness and if so did you go through the whole compliance senario with MPI? or did you just flying under the radar?
Your thoughts and experiences would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Ron
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7 years 6 months ago #521733 by Stikkibeek
Did you know, that what you thought I said, was not what I meant :S
Replied by Stikkibeek on topic Free Range Chooks
I think you can avoid MPI regulations if you keep less than 100 hens. You can sell at roadside or similar, however go over 100 and you will be required to comply with the act and have all the necessary paperwork and inspections etc.
Over 100 hens also will require council permits.
Now I could be wrong on all of this, it's been a while since I read the regulations.
Over 100 hens also will require council permits.
Now I could be wrong on all of this, it's been a while since I read the regulations.
Did you know, that what you thought I said, was not what I meant :S
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7 years 6 months ago #521734 by Sue
Sue
Labrador lover for yonks, breeder of pedigree Murray Grey cattle for almost as long, and passionate poultry person for more years than I care to count.
Replied by Sue on topic Free Range Chooks
Yes, SB is correct 
Under 100 hens you are able to sell eggs from your hens, over 100 hens you must have an RMP (risk management plan)
You can read about the necessary requirements here.
eggfarmers.org.nz/egg-farming-in-nz/starting-a-commercial-farm

Under 100 hens you are able to sell eggs from your hens, over 100 hens you must have an RMP (risk management plan)
You can read about the necessary requirements here.
eggfarmers.org.nz/egg-farming-in-nz/starting-a-commercial-farm
Sue
Labrador lover for yonks, breeder of pedigree Murray Grey cattle for almost as long, and passionate poultry person for more years than I care to count.
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7 years 6 months ago #521744 by LongRidge
Replied by LongRidge on topic Free Range Chooks
What are you going to do with the carcases of the birds that are too old to produce well? Some commercial free range businesses have their nesting houses able to be sealed so that the chickens can be gassed while they are asleep, and then bulldozed out to be composted.
Yuck, but it has to be thought of
.
Yuck, but it has to be thought of

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7 years 5 months ago - 7 years 5 months ago #522182 by Belle Bosse
Replied by Belle Bosse on topic Free Range Chooks
What ever you choose to do, just make sure your planned hen's free ranging area is DOG PROOF..!
We've just lost our 3 heritage hens that free ranged our orchard and farm area to dog attack... no fun for all involved.
We've just lost our 3 heritage hens that free ranged our orchard and farm area to dog attack... no fun for all involved.
Last edit: 7 years 5 months ago by Belle Bosse.
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7 years 5 months ago - 7 years 5 months ago #522191 by Name123
The neighbour's here have dogs that are well kept and trained, and rarely ever wander. When there were two with the north neighbour, they would sometimes wander down the road and never bothered the chickens despite ranging onto this proeprty, and the chickens ranged from the orchard at the back of the property, out onto the road at the front. The south neighbour has six or so, and only one has ever come to visit/gotten loose, and it just wandered around and ignored the chickens as well.
Replied by Name123 on topic Free Range Chooks
It really depends on the dogs around you and their owners in my experience, my chickens have been unfenced and wide-ranging for three years or so.Belle Bosse wrote: What ever you choose to do, just make sure your planned hen's free ranging area is DOG PROOF..!
We've just lost our 3 heritage hens that free ranged our orchard and farm area to dog attack... no fun for all involved.
The neighbour's here have dogs that are well kept and trained, and rarely ever wander. When there were two with the north neighbour, they would sometimes wander down the road and never bothered the chickens despite ranging onto this proeprty, and the chickens ranged from the orchard at the back of the property, out onto the road at the front. The south neighbour has six or so, and only one has ever come to visit/gotten loose, and it just wandered around and ignored the chickens as well.
Last edit: 7 years 5 months ago by Name123.
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7 years 5 months ago #522202 by Anakei
Urban mini farmer and guerilla gardener
Replied by Anakei on topic Free Range Chooks
My dog wanders through my hens with no problems at all. A friend visited with her springer spaniel and the dog went berserk, barking and chasing. If we hadn't been in the garden at the time the chooks would have been goners. You can' t bank on other dogs being controlled or well trained.
Urban mini farmer and guerilla gardener
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7 years 5 months ago #522203 by Anakei
Urban mini farmer and guerilla gardener
Replied by Anakei on topic Free Range Chooks
I should add that the springer is a usually placid and well behaved dog.
Urban mini farmer and guerilla gardener
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