Gippsland Pastured is a small first-generation family farm run by Felicity and Greg.
Land regeneration and sustainability is a huge part of the way we farm. We work with smaller paddocks and regular moves, which allows the paddocks to rest and recover. The aim is to rebuild the soil, it’s nutrients and the ability to hold moisture, which in turn allows for better pasture growth.
Whilst creating these smaller paddocks we also fenced off the 200 year old remnant gum trees that were already here and created shelterbelts to plant an extra 25,000 or so native trees and shrubs. We chose species that were native to our local area and in the process created habitat and corridors for the wildlife that were here before us. We are slowly bringing back a variety of wildlife to our farm.
Hens and cattle have a vital role to play in our whole farm system. The cattle eat the grass and the chickens follow behind them. The chickens get to engage in natural behaviours such as foraging, scratching, dust bathing and eating bugs – ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Our hens are free to roam and be chickens; in the process they improve our soil so we can grow more pasture to feed the cattle.
When the hens are not enjoying the great outdoors each flock has their own purpose built mobile caravan. The caravans provide a safe place for them to lay eggs during the day and roost at night; the vans also have a mesh floor that allows the hens droppings to fall through. Because they are not fixed in place we can move them around the whole farm regularly. This helps to regenerate the soil but also means the chickens are not living in their own mess; minimising health issues in the hens, the cattle and the soil. Our hens are fed a blend of grains to meet their complex nutritional requirements and they spend their days foraging in the pasture for a large variety of bugs.
Here at Gippsland Pastured each flock of hens is small and protected by permanent fox-proof electric fences; we also have dogs that keep a watchful eye over our farm. We are proud to have a stocking density of 200 hens/ha, which gives our hens plenty of room to roam.
