We rear the chickens to very similar welfare specification as organic systems, but they are not certified organic because we use conventionally grown crops in our feed, rather than organically grown crops. There are no artificial fertilisers or pesticides used on the fields where the chickens live.

The chickens have 24hr access to their 40 acres of species rich meadow land which they spend large parts of the day foraging over. There are no pesticides or herbicides used on the farm so there are many different grasses and plants which are grazed by the chickens, along with a thriving insect population. It is extremely hard to quantify this natural part of their diet especially because it fluctuates with the seasons, but it is the smaller part of their total diet in weight. Despite this, it is the most important part as it gives them the opportunity to engage in natural behaviours. The stimulation and enrichment generated by scratching around in a patch of nettles for a worm is immeasurable.

The conventional cereal-based feed which they also have access to is free from antibiotics or hormones. It is composed of the following ingredients:

• Wheat

• Corn

• Soya

• Barley

• Rape seed

• Vitamins and minerals

Soya only makes up very small amount of the diet and any Soy used is from a certified sustainable source (Cargill's sustainable soy scheme)

We use a Hubbard hybrid chicken which has a slower growth rate so they mature naturally. They have larger, longer legs compared to a more intensive commercial breeds which makes them more suited to roaming around outside. Because our chickens have more exercise, they become more athletic and this results in a richer, textured, darker and more succulent meat with stronger nutritionally rich bones too.

We use a slower growing breed of chicken, reared on average for 10 weeks but up to 12 weeks. This is 25% longer than standard free range chickens and 70% longer than standard indoor chickens.

Our chickens shelter from the elements and at night in small mobile sheds, rather than fixed permanent buildings. This means they are being regularly moved onto fresh grass. This greatly reduces the risk of a build-up of disease around the shed. The large fixed shed system which is common within the free range supermarket supply chain, is far more efficient on cost however the birds only have access to the same ground around their permanent building which has never had a break from poultry since it was built.