Page 4 - National Poultry Newspaper

Photo: Rebekah Howell
Photo: John Cameron
Backyard chickens in huge demand as coronavirus-driven shopping frenzy empties supermarkets
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It is a welcome boon for
While commercial egg layer breeders are flat out supplying the retail mar-
Photo: Sheri Hooley
FIRST they came for toi- let paper, then pasta.
an industry that has felt the impact of increased grain sales during Aus- tralia’s drought.
ket, smaller poultry sup- pliers dedicated to herit- age breeds are also seeing a surge of interest in back- yard chickens and more sustainable lifestyles.
breeds — but are worth the investment in the long- er term.
Now chicken breeders are being inundated, with more householders turn- ing to backyard chooks for egg supplies as super- market shelves empty of staple food products.
“This is a little bonus for us, with the virus that’s floating around and the general public being so wary of it.”
Kate Grealy, who runs the Sunshine Coast-based Perma-Poultry Market, said a heritage bird can take much longer to pro- duce their first egg — up to seven months in some
“They don’t lay as many eggs over a year, but they live for many more years,” Ms Grealy said.
Bond Enterprises in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley has had a 30 per- cent spike in sales of egg layers because people are looking to become more self-sufficient during the coronavirus pandemic.
While Bond Enterprises usually sells chickens at about 16-18 weeks, which is point-of-lay age, they are looking at having to sell younger birds not yet producing eggs to meet demand.
“A commercial layer breed may lay eggs for about 14 months, whereas some of the larger herit- age breeds may be laying for five to eight years.”
The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria President’s update on COVID-19
THESE are challeng- ing and extraordinary times for all of us, including The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.
issued by the federal and state government and relevant health organisations as it un- folds.
The RASV has a proud history of cel- ebrating agriculture, cultivating events and strengthening com- munities and much of what we do has been put on-hold as we deal with the impact of cor- onavirus COVID-19.
This week, we re- ceived a message of support from the Vic- toria Governor and RASV patron Her Ex- cellency, the Honour- able Linda Dessau.
Over the past three weeks, major events, exhibitions and venues have all but ceased op- eration of their regular scheduled programs.
Reluctantly we have had to postpone the 2020 Australian Dis- tilled Spirits Awards in April and the 2020 Australian Inter- national Beer Awards in May, with options to defer either or both to later in the year be- ing considered.
This is also true at Melbourne Show- grounds.
It’s certainly no longer business as usual.
The issue is evolving rapidly, however, we will endeavour to keep you informed.
No one knows how long this issue will continue to affect us, but from recent gov- ernment announce- ments one would ex- pect at least 6 months.
Be assured that the Board and Executive will continue to take considered and deci- sive action to best pre- pare the organisation to withstand this chal- lenging period.
This is challenging and we are working in a dynamic and com- plicated environment.
In the meantime, please continue to lis- ten out for further gov- ernment COVID-19 announcements and advice.
We are still planning for the 2020 Royal Melbourne Show to go ahead at this stage.
The issue of COV- ID-19 is evolving rap- idly and we are con- sidering various op- tions as contingencies.
Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding during these unprecedented times. Please take care of yourself and your loved ones.
We will continue to monitor the situa- tion and adhere to the regulations and advice
Matthew Coleman
We thank her for her kind words.
Bond Enterprises sup- ply retailers such as ru- ral and produce supply stores and pet shops, as well as small commercial pastured farmers from far north Queensland through to South Australia.
Mr Bond warns people will still have a wait be- fore their chickens start laying eggs.
Operations manager Travis Bond said: “People feel self-sufficient having birds in their backyard producing a table egg, they know where it’s com- ing from and it’s fresh.
“Usually the point-of- lay chook will start laying within two to six weeks, but the wait will pay off even with the current in- creased cost of grain.
“Sales for retail back- yard chooks have declined quite considerably over the past five to six years.”
“It still comes out fairly equitable and fairly even with what you’d be paying for a medium-priced egg in the supermarket, as well as having the benefit of prov- enance,” Mr Bond said.
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Page 4 – National Poultry Newspaper, April 2020
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