Farming Editor Peter Hall meets the brothers whose innovative design could revolutionise the free-range egg industry

DOZENS of farmers are expected to attend the open day at East Moortown, Chawleigh on May 17 to see the revolutionary design for a free-range mobile chicken house.

Brothers Ken and Cohn Ford have launched Freedom Farm Mobiles and are confident that their design, which can take up to 3,000 laying hens, will be well received

The prototype house is 80ft long by 40ft wide, but may be moved by using hitch points at the ends. It is built of composite panels with a high level of insulation and is an all-English product, constructed at K H Ford Engineering.

An almost complete lack of smell is the main feature noticed at once by the visitor and there is no smarting of the eyes generally associated with a trip to a chicken house.  The birds seem genuinely happy and in very good condition.

“We based it on a static building design, but made it mobile,” said Ken. “We felt air quality was most important, so the headings are all adjustable, instead of vents.”

“We based it on a static building design, but made it mobile,” said Ken. “We felt air quality was most important, so the headings are all adjustable, instead of vents.”

Keeping laying birds was a new venture for the brothers, who are averaging an 88 percent lay, well above average.

Their chicken house, which is DEFRA approved, features a large undercover scratch area.

Power is supplied by a DC system, with batteries recharged through a wind turbine and solar power, backed up by a small petrol engine driving an alternator, not a generator.

Feeders work on timers, nest boxes open and close, egg collection and lighting are also automatic,

“We thought about the design for a long time and didn’t tell anyone what we were planning,” said Ken.    

“We started putting the house together in November and finished it in the Christmas holiday in time for the birds to arrive.“

Freedom Farm Mobiles is selling the houses at£55,000 each erected, Which works out at £18.38 a bird.

The open day on May l7 lasts from 10am to 5pm. Chawleigh is near Chulmleigh in North Devon. More information is available on 01769 580629.