Willow Farm’s first flock produced 302 eggs per hen housed with 125.12 grams of feed consumed per bird.  The average egg weight at 72 weeks of age was 68.76 grams. The second flock went on to produce 321 eggs per hen housed with 121.24 grams of feed consumed per bird.  The average egg weight at 72 weeks of age was 68.00 grams.

After the success of the first flock, Anthony and Lorna decided to increase the Free Range operation and an additional house was built and has just been stocked with 10,000 Hy-Line Brown pullets in March 2006. 

The Gadens are delighted with the outstanding end of lay persistency and egg quality of the Hy-Line birds and were particularly impressed by the liveability of the second flock, with mortality at only 2.6 per cent at 72 weeks.  The Hy-Line birds have been straightforward for them to manage and the egg size is easy to control, with both flocks finishing at about the 68-gram mark.  As a result, the egg quality remains consistently good.  Furthermore, feed consumption has been low, proving the Hy-Line birds to be highly efficient.  The feather retention has also been excellent.

Anthony Gaden commented, “Part of the reason for our success has been down to the support and advice we have received from the Hy-Line technical team and John Holt and Andrew Dixon of Deans Foods.  We look forward to many more years of these successful partnerships!”

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