flying the British Egg Flag

In 2022 Anthony Ashby joined his family business at Southview Farm near Box with the aim of adding to the farm’s pedigree herd of Sussex cattle, Christmas tree plantations and plant nursery. Anthony set up an enterprise of just 250 free-range laying hens which has now grown to over 6,000 birds with the emphasis on sustainable production methods.

The poultry enterprise is run as an agro forestry production system and Anthony has planted a cricket bat willow tree plantation across all the poultry pastures providing multiple benefits for the environment and the birds. The trees greatly encourage the hens to leave the safety of the poultry shed and pools of birds are often seen in the shade of the trees in the heat of the midday sun.

Besides benefiting the birds, the willow trees take up and utilise the surplus nitrogen in the poultry manure that the birds leave behind when ranging outside, preventing the waste of valuable nutrients and the risk of excess nitrogen leaching into waterways. Over a 15 to 20 year cycle the willow trees will be harvested for cricket bats and a new tree planted in the place of each one removed.

The industry faces continual challenges and Anthony finds working with the British Hen Welfare Trust has become a key part of the production cycle. All his flocks are multi-age to ensure a consistent supply of egg sizes for his customers, which means the charity can rehome six flocks a year. The BHWT plays a vital role in facilitating this process, by connecting Anthony's birds with families and individuals who will provide a quiet retirement.