Forage Farms paddocks are usually dotted with Hyline Brown hens but the introduction of a new breed of white Lohmann LSL Classic hens is mixing things up. These birds are the very first of the breed to be hatched in Australia and we are trialling 1600 hens to see how they cope in a pasture-raised environment.
The hens are smaller and are known to be very productive layers. So far, they are living up to their reputation. In the month since their arrival, they have come into full lay, whereas our brown birds would only be at 50% at the same age. These hens also seem to be smarter and less likely to get in the way of tractors and cars! When the sun sets, they always take themselves back to the hen house which saves us having to chase up stragglers.
If the Lohmanns continue to thrive, we plan to run a mix of white and brown flocks on the farm. Lohman eggs are white and smaller than the Hyline Browns. With the current egg shortage, they are proving a popular alternative – available from our farm gate shop by appointment.
