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The Free Range sector has seen accelerating expansion in recent years.

The banning of conventional cages by 2012, combined with changing consumer demands, is encouraging more free range egg production and thus the supply of good free range pullets.

"Where to source pullets is a key decision for new free range producers" says Peter. "Rearing these birds to a high standard is a highly specialised business, the significance of which should not be underestimated."

Peter Humphrey has an obvious passion for pullet rearing. Peter is a Director of Humphrey Farms, sister company to Humphrey Feeds, in which his nephew, Martin Humphrey, is Sales Director.

The layer sector is in a period of transition, the likes of which has rarely been seen in other industries, and the ability to adapt is essential. Everyone involved in free range egg production is affected; the hatcheries to produce more free range chicks, the rearers to give the birds the best possible start, feed mills to ensure quality free range diets are available, and so on...."

Optimum performance

For free range producers, both new and established, deciding where to source pullets can sometimes be a difficult decision. Understanding more about the rearing bird and what to look for in a new flock is vital for optimum performance. Peter has the following advice:

• Ensure you select a breed that is suitable for you – which will involve consideration of your market requirements, your experience of the different breeds and what suits the system of your house and land.

• Birds can lay over 300 eggs in their 56 weeks in laying quarters, which can be 10x their own body weight. They must be strong, healthy and fit. A healthy bird is better able to withstand challenges from disease and has a tougher immunity to viral threats. A new flock should look the same in terms of frame size. The right diet, especially in the first five weeks, is crucial to achieving a good frame size.

We start on chick crumbs to 5 weeks, followed by specific grower and developer diets. Providing the best quality feed, in crumb form, gives the pullets a really good start.

• Body weight is important. The pullets should be at the correct weight when they arrive on farm. Travel time should be kept to a minimum as birds lose weight during transportation. The pullets should weigh close to 1350 grams at 16 weeks with an evenness of at least 85% on arrival.

• The flock should come into lay together, as opposed to having certain birds that are not sexually mature enough to cope with stimulation through extra lighting hours.

• Ensure the pullets are reared on a like for like system. For example, if you have bell drinkers in the laying house, then ideally the birds need bell drinkers in rear to ensure a smooth transition when they transfer to laying quarters.

• Pay attention to pullets! Poor pullets will result in poor flock performance. Visit your rearing company to see the birds prior to delivery. Ensure you receive regular information on the crop as it develops, such as growth, weight, flock mortality rate and disease control. Pullets can undergo 14 vaccinations in the first 16 weeks so working closely with vets is crucial.

With the demand for free range pullets increasing, how realistic is the idea that producers can rear their own birds? "It is possible" says Peter. "You must have an isolated site for rearing birds and never rear pullets alongside laying birds.

A high level of bio-security is vital. Once reared to 16 weeks the birds need to be moved, the site washed down, thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected. Always ensure there is a break between crops to stop disease carry-over. The option of self rearing is not realistically available to producers on smaller sites. It is best to use a specialist rearing company, of which there are a number of options, the majority have many years experience and consistently produce excellent results."

The future

"The poultry industry has improved immeasurably and bird welfare and performance continues to progress. When I started working the usual production was just 200 eggs per bird and mortality rates were far higher than now. Birds are now more docile and welfare standards higher.