31 Aug 2025
Cockerels, quail and kangaroos
The last time I spent a week in Australia, it was to go rock climbing in the Blue Mountains. There was no part of my brain that predicted that during the next visit I’d be holding a large cockerel and learning the intricacies of broiler breeding. Yet here I was.
The birds were impressive—snow-white, healthy, fully feathered, and robust Ross chickens. We spent the day discussing the ins and outs of the operation, exploring the challenges, and poring over graphs charting just about every measurable aspect of production. Together, we analysed trends, solved a few mysteries, carried out post-mortems, and made plans for moving forward.
On another day we visited a quail farm - but not just any farm. This was the dream and creation of a young Australian entrepreneur and bird enthusiast, Rob, whose hard work and perseverance have been extraordinary. Still in his early 20s, Rob welcomed us at his gate at the crack of a misty Aussie dawn, brimming with energy and pride as he showed us the fruits of his labour with more enthusiasm than I’d been exposed to since I told my kids they could stay up until 10 to watch the fireworks.
His flock of 10,000 quail had just started laying, producing stunning eggs from equally striking birds. He spoke passionately about genetics and rare feather colours, demonstrating a deep understanding of every detail of his operation. We left his farm inspired by what he has achieved and excited to support him as his journey continues.
We also visited several pasture-raised operations, where hens spend their days outside in mobile sheds that are regularly moved onto fresh pasture. These systems bring unique challenges, with foxes being the main predator of chooks in Australia. One solution is to run Maremma sheepdogs with the flocks. These dogs reminded me of the Boerboels I met while working in South Africa - breeds developed to protect livestock from formidable predators like hyenas and lions. Fortunately, the most menacing animal we encountered on this trip was a mob of kangaroos, which I was delighted (and perhaps a little too excited, to Alex-Kate’s amusement) to spot hopping fences as we drove down the long farm driveway.
What I’ve enjoyed most so far in this role are the people - both my colleagues and the farmers I’ve met. There hasn’t been a bad egg among them (and yes, I do enjoy a poultry pun). Hearing their stories, working alongside them to troubleshoot challenges, and helping plan for the future has been incredibly rewarding.
