Hosking Family Farm Farmers: Brian and Bron Hosking Certification: Demeter in conversion since 2025 Produce: Eggs with a density less than 150 birds per ha – have approx. 3,000 layers. Size: 44 ha Soil/Climate: Clay/Loam soils. Mediterranean climate. Average annual rainfall 500mm Background: Established in 2022 – previously a camel and dairy farm. Feed/Welfare :Hy-Line Brown chicks are purchased as day old birds and are raised on certified Demeter grain – 2 batches a year of 1100-1200 birds. As the chicks grow, milk from a small herd of Jersey and Crossbreed cows is made into yoghurt to provide the chickens with high quality protein. Sprouted Demeter biodynamic wheat is also fed ad lib to supplement the pasture range diet of grubs, bugs, worms, grass, weeds etc. The quantity of wheat the chooks consume fluctuates with the seasons, weather conditions and the availability/quality of forage. Maremma dogs Bonnie, Alby, Spot and Dash live with the chickens and help protect them from local predators – foxes and birds of prey such as wedge tail eagles. The laying birds have access to biodynamic pasture during the day from daybreak and roost in portable sheds at night. The sheds are moved about 40 metres every week, eventually taking a year to complete the journey around the farm. This helps maintain pasture health and growth. Eggs are collected from the laying sheds every afternoon and are packed weekly ready for market. Chickens are sold after about 1 year of laying. Demeter BD 500 soil activator is sprayed every year - according to moisture and warmth - for soil structure improvement.