John Thompson and Sons manufacture the feed for the farmers who supply Skea Eggs in Co.Tyrone. In addition to the high quality layer feeds the firm also supplies feed for speciality niche markets such as organic, Omega 3 and free range eggs.

Richard Halleron visited Raymond Watt at Donaghmore Co.Tyrone who is combining an interesting enterprise alongside his free range egg production.

“Habitat enrichment is good for the hens and is proving a winner with shoppers.” writes Richard.

Modern laying hens can trace their genealogy back to ancestors who preferred a woodland environment. The trees gave the birds improved levels of shelter from the elements and provided them, no doubt, with enhanced opportunities to hide from predators. So it would make sense then for the egg companies of today to consider tree planting on ground available to free range hens as a way of providing enriched habitats for the birds.

A case in point is Skea Eggs. The Co Tyrone based company is in the throes of completing a unique tree planting project which will see the inclusion of up to 20 per cent woodland cover on all its current free-range units.

“We are just over 12 months into the project,” confirmed Skea’s Harold Richmond.

“Yes there is a growing demand for this type of egg. At one level this is a good business opportunity. But there is no doubt that managing the hens in this way provides them with a much more welfare friendly environment in which to live.

“The birds have access to feed and water indoors. However, when the weather is suitable they will seek to head outside. And although the trees recently planted are still quite small, there is already evidence to show that the hens find the shade on-offer highly attractive.”

Raymond Watt farms close to Donaghmore in Co Tyrone. He manages just over 11,000 birds for Skea, all of which have access to the enriched habitat now on offer as a result of the recently completed tree planting initiative.

“The birds arrive with me at 16 weeks of age. They are kept indoors for a week until they are fully familiar with the feed, watering points and nesting boxes,” Raymond explained.

“After that, the doors of the houses are opened and the birds choose themselves when they want to enjoy the experience of the great outdoors. It’s still early days. However, the birds are attracted to the woodland areas, particularly on sunny days.

Harold Richmond went on to point out that egg production rates are lower for birds with access to the outdoors compared with those kept indoors.

“Hens kept indoors are maintained in a controlled environment at all times: birds with access to range are not!”

When it came to seeking the knowhow and wherewithal to design and establish the required woodland areas the management team at Skea turned to Northern Ireland leading forestry development company Premier Woodlands. The man charged with co-ordinating the project was Premier`s forester manager Stephen Warren

“There are a significant number of sites being planted, up to 1.5 hectares in size,” Stephen explained.

“We started the work last year and have continued with the project in a systematic manner throughout the 2009 planting season. The design of each site reflects the emphasis on using native trees. Species planted out include Ash, Rowan, Oak and Birch.”

He continued:

“Prior to planting we mound the site with the trees planted into the raised soil. This provides the young trees with better drainage and a better micro-site to compete against the surrounding vegetation, which can grow very quickly at this time of the year.

“Hens are very prone to pecking, so each young tree is protected by a tree guard. Mulch mats are also placed at the base of each tree to provide improved weed control.”

Stephen went on to explain that a tree spacing of 3 by 3 metres was selected for all of the sites planted out this year.

“This allows for easier vegetation control,” he stressed.

“Between 700 and 1,000 trees will be planted out on each of the Skea sites. It will take up to five years before the woodlands established will provide full ground cover. But the difference between the sites planted last years and this is already significant.

Raymond Watt confirmed that a certain amount of vegetation control is required in Year 1 in order to give the trees the best possible start.

“But it doesn’t take the birds long to get used to their surroundings, after which they are more than capable of keeping the grass around the trees under control,” he added.

Harold Richmond believes that the growing consumer demand for welfare friendly production systems will encourage egg companies to further invest in the concept of habitat enrichment.

“Eggs are the cheapest source of high quality protein available in the shops today,” he concluded.

“They constitute a unique food as they can be included in starters, main courses and desserts. Consumers are voting with their feet at the present time and buying more eggs than ever before. So it’s incumbent on egg companies like Skea to give them exactly what they want. Habitat enrichment is good for the hens and is proving a winner with shoppers.”