FREE-ranging heritage chickens are more than a hobby for Barrington Brahmas owner Melissa Hunt, who says every bird has its own personality and an important role in the flock.
Melissa keeps her Brahma chickens as a hobby with her children, carefully managing flock numbers to avoid commercial farming regulations while focusing on the health and welfare of her birds.
The heritage Brahma breed is known for its calm nature and large size, but also takes longer to mature than commercial laying hens.
Melissa raises some chicks under broody hens and others in incubators, and has noticed a remarkable difference between the two.
“My chicks that are hatched under the broody hens seem more independent from an earlier age.
“They are born out into the yard and taught from the hen within the first week what to eat and the awareness of their surroundings.
“They’re highly intelligent, more so than the incubator hatchlings.”
The chickens begin life on starter feed before progressing through grower feed and eventually layer pellets and scratch mix once they begin laying eggs.
Melissa also supplements their diet with fruit and vegetables, and enjoys watching them forage naturally.
“When these chooks are out in the yard they are very busy eating all they can find in the grass, from bugs to worms and anything in between,” she said.
Happy, free-ranging hens generally lay between four and six eggs a week, depending on their breed, age and the season.
Eggs from free-range hens are often prized for their rich yolks and can contain higher levels of beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, largely due to the birds’ varied diet and access to sunlight.
While life is peaceful for the flock now, Melissa is concerned about the possibility of bird flu restrictions.
“Sadly, if bird flu eventuates I may have to confine the chooks to the sheds,” she said.
“Chooks need sunlight to prosper.
“I hope people don’t just give up on hope. We can get through this and keep our beautiful poultry culture alive.”
Locals wanting to learn more about the chooks can contact Melissa via Facebook’s Barrington Brahmas page.
By Sis HIGGINS
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