64 | Currently constructing the fourth shed, the operation will reach capacity of 120,000 birds producing 110,000 eggs per day by Christmas. eg. Free Range Eggs also supplies hospitality businesses including, Le Cordon Bleu. Nathan resolved to build what he describes as a futuristic automated free range farm using European aviaries and automated systems. The first shed became operational in 2022 with 30,000 chickens. “There is still a lot of manual labour though as I have to walk the sheds constantly to monitor things,” explains Nathan. “The automated approach helps addresses some of these issues through sophisticated control systems, with each shed featuring iPad-controlled panels that monitor lighting, feed, water, ventilation, temperature, and bird weights through sensors. All eggs from sheds move via conveyor belts to a central packing area and go through a state of the art egg grader to select and separate them into the correct grade packet.” The farm’s unique star-shaped layout maximises range space for each flock, distinguishing it from conventional row-byrow arrangements. “Our entire farm was designed from our hens perspective because they’re the ones laying the eggs, not us,” explains Nathan. eg. Free Range Eggs AGRICULTURE ojifs.com Packaging Central | 0800 220 500 | casectrl@ojifs.com Proudly supplying quality corrugated packaging to Proud to be supporting eg. Free Range Eggs (06) 353 0217 o ce@emerge-arch.co.nz www.emerge-arch.co.nz Your Local Business Management Specialists - Bookkeeping - Payroll - Financial management - Governance Services - Budgeting - P&L Reporting - Cashflow Reporting - Software Training Proudly serving small to medium-sized rural businesses. With 75% of our clients being rural based. 021 732 026 | office@spbms.co.nz Contact Us www.sandraphippen.co.nz 18 Manchester Street, Feilding T Tfrom page 63 “Our chicken sheds and ranges are laid out in such a way that increases the roaming space for each flock. We are the first farm in New Zealand to implement this layout.” The facility incorporates climate-controlled laying sheds, covered conservatories for dust bathing and socialising and extensive roaming ranges with native plantings. The company operates as a co-ownership structure with Nathan and six other families having invested in the business. eg. Free Range Eggs also supplies hospitality businesses including, Le Cordon Bleu, where their world class standards require only the best quality products. Currently constructing the fourth shed, the operation will reach capacity of 120,000 birds producing 110,000 eggs per day by Christmas. Nathan says consumer loyalty has driven the business’s growth trajectory. “The quality of an egg is reflective of the life of the hen who laid it. Our hens live a life designed to allow them to lovingly lay eggs with strong shells, thick whites, and vibrant yolks. Once people have tried our eggs they’ve never bought anything else again.”
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