Sourcing with integrity
If you haven’t tried organic chicken, then West Country farmer David Beer is out to convert you, as he explains what goes into growing Devonshire Gold organic birds.
It’s 10am and David Beer is eating his breakfast. He’s been up and about since dawn on his family-owned Hawkridge Farm in Devon. His is one of 43 small organic farms around the West Country that grow organic chickens on behalf of Lloyd Maunder, the primary producers of Sainsbury’s organic chicken. Every farm is approved by the Soil Association.
Farms are supplied with day-old organic chicks from Lloyd Maunder’s hatchery near Exeter and all of the feed, too, is organic cereal grown locally. The Devonshire Gold birds are slow growing, sturdy and inquisitive. ‘They have to be nosy,’ David explains, ‘because it means they’ll supplement their feed with natural food. Clover is a great favourite, as well as daddy-longlegs, which they chase across the grass.’
David takes pride in the fact that his chickens are sold in his local Sainsbury’s in Exeter. ‘It’s quite rare nowadays, isn’t it, to see local food actually being sold locally.’ And he’s out to convert the sceptics. ‘If anyone has the slightest doubt that organic chickens taste better than others, I’d say, take the plunge and try one. You’ll be eating a chicken that has superb texture, and flavour you won’t believe.’
