100% free range
WOODLAND is all about the best quality eggs…
Our goal has been to create the most uncompromised free range environments in the country.
Every day all ‘the girls’ have the opportunity to spend as long as they wish roaming open pastures in their paddocks and leading the active life that makes such a difference to the eggs they lay. Secure under the canopy of trees large and small, they can forage for a variety of insects, worms and other natural foods, and behave as hens do in the wild.
Frequently asked questions
What does "free range" mean?
Free range hens have access to clean pasture during the day, so they can exercise in fresh air, forage for worms and insects, and dust bathe. WOODLAND provides a healthy outdoor lifestyle for the hens. They have access to both fresh pasture and their own woodland area. At Ti Kouka and Glenpark they also have a covered “winter garden” (or litter area), where they can shelter from bad weather and bright sunlight. Inside the main living area there are feeders, drinkers and perches.
How do I know if the eggs are really free range?
WOODLAND produces only free range eggs. The farms are audited annually and certified by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to ensure farming and production methods are followed correctly. The properties are also fully compliant with the Animal Products Act 1999.
How do I know WOODLAND free range eggs are fresh?
Eggs are collected daily from the nesting boxes in the living areas where the hens spend the night. Only the eggs collected from these nesting boxes are graded and then packed on site. Any eggs found outside of the nesting boxes (e.g. on the floor or in the paddocks) are discarded. After leaving the farm, the eggs are kept in a temperature-controlled environment and promptly transported to your local outlet.
What do WOODLAND hens eat?
Because our free range hens can roam outside, they eat a natural and varied diet, including insects, plants, grains and legumes. To add further variety, they roam different types of fresh pasture, at different times. The hens also have access to large bales of straw, which they love to peck and forage within. Fresh water is always available. We recognise the specific needs of growing hens change as they mature, therefore the hens’ diets are tailored to the different stages of development. Seasonal changes may also require a variation to the standard diet. At all times, the highest quality ingredients are used.
How do free range hens avoid disease?
WOODLAND hens enjoy a healthy environment, with good hygiene practices and clean living areas. The farms also follow safe food practices and uses high-quality feed products. Glenpark was one of the first poultry farms in New Zealand to be approved under the Risk Management Programme.
Welfare standards
WOODLAND meets the NZ Animal Welfare (Layer Hens) Code of Welfare 2012 standards for free range production.