Free-range or fiction?
“We want to grow food in a natural, ethical manner. More and more consumers want to know how their food is produced, and our customers rely on us to raise food the way they’d have liked to do if they had the opportunity,” says Craig.
The Alisons soon discovered there is no regulatory body in South Africa that oversees and monitors claims to freerange, so they now govern themselves.
“The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries inspects us every six months and has authenticated our farm as free-range. It would be good if other genuine free-range farmers would make the same effort. There is new legislation governing food labelling, but if it isn’t policed, how do consumers know whether it’s true?” asks Vicky.
The hens at Highveld are farmed according to several animal-welfare freedoms: “We believe chickens should be allowed to act as chickens, doing what comes naturally. They need good food, clean water at all times, shelter from the sun, protection from natural predators, the freedom to lay whenever they want and without artificial light, access to plenty of space, and the freedom to have sand baths and to run and scratch around. We get great satisfaction watching the chickens engage in natural behaviour,” says Craig.
Sand-bathing clearly is a favourite activity among these girls. Not only does the practice help eradicate annoying skin parasites, it’s also a social event, with pockets of hens vigorously creating little dust storms all over the paddocks and houses.
The hens are fed an Epol grain feed and do not receive animal by-products, hormones or routine antibiotics. Feed costs make up about 70% of input costs and are continually escalating, with one tonne of layer mash costing about R3 500.
“Putting birds in cages is not the way we want to farm or to live. Free-range is very hands-on and requires constant management. Having said that, our chicken houses are designed to require minimum labour, with chain feeders, nipple drinkers and nest boxes. The water and feed are automated. All we have to do is collect eggs, turn the litter once a week, deworm, and apply vaccines for diseases like Newcastle and infectious bronchitis.”