Will and Claire Patterson have heaps of experience in beef and sheep farming, but decided to diversify into free range egg production a few years ago to help protect their business for the future. And they have never looked back.
Having secured planning permission, a visit to the British Pig and Poultry Fair in 2019 gave them the opportunity to do their research and decide on a suitable shed and system to meet their specific needs. Powell & Co were asked to install a 457 x 65ft steel-framed free-range poultry unit featuring Big Dutchman’s Natura 264, supplied by Newquip.
Will reflects, “Crucially, we wanted to create a revenue stream that was not reliant on subsidiaries and would future-proof our business for the next generation. Claire was looking for a new venture at the time that could be built around family life, and free range poultry production seemed a really good fit. It’s in her blood because her grandparents kept backyard chickens, and she has always had a keen interest in poultry.”
Along with the help of her team, mother of four, Claire, tends to 32,000 chickens at the site, which is positioned adjacent to their farm at the other side of the A66. Its remote location was a key deciding factor in building the unit, biosecurity being the number one priority. Will says, “The road to the poultry shed is a dead end, so we are able to keep footfall to a minimum. We have wheel washing and foot dips in place, as well as CCTV and digilocks. The feed wagons and manure trailers never need to go on site. The egg collection wagon is the only vehicle allowed entry.”
The previous year has been challenging for producers, with input costs at an all-time high whilst egg prices remained static. In response to the rising electricity costs, the Pattersons decided to install a system of 65kW solar panels on the roof of the unit. Will explains, “Solar suits the chickens very well because everything is switched off at night, so they have the darkness they need. Traditional methods are tried and tested, but you have to move with the times.
“We are currently looking into new innovations around flushing, which will make life easier when it comes to administering vaccines. We are in discussions with Newquip because we cannot fault the service we have received. Support is available when we need it, and the knowledgeable customer service team makes ordering spare parts extremely stress-free. We are also upgrading our Viper control panels. We love having the ability to see what is happening at the touch of a button. When new birds are introduced, it is so important to be able to monitor how much they are eating and drinking.”
Will’s father, also called William, is a firm believer in doing a job that you love. Will adds, “Your heart has got to be in it, especially with farming. My plan is to keep doing what we are doing, making our business as self-sufficient as it can be. I have recently teamed up with nine other producers to form a cooperative of businesses actively looking for new opportunities. Agriculture can be quite isolating, so networking is great for sharing any problems you might have and finding appropriate solutions. I would recommend Newquip and Big Dutchman to anyone because the systems are finished so well. For me, I always say that the devil’s in the detail.”