By Jeremy Sollars
A property east of Warwick could be the home of up to 5000 free-range laying hens, if an application to the Southern Downs Regional Council is up to scratch.
An application by Watson Family Produce is out on public display at the present time, with the land in question located at 972 Hermitage-Emu Vale Road.
The plan is to develop a fully certified organic egg production operation over three years, to meet the growing demand for organic eggs.
Under the plan, the free-range hens would be rotated over two-hectare areas every two days, with mobile housing in place for shelter at night and egg-laying.
In its first year of operation, Watson Family Produce plans to construct its first mobile housing unit to accommodate up to 1000 hens, moving to 1600 hens in the second year and up to 5000 in the third year, with four to six housing units in use.
Eggs produced would be collected and cleaned before packing, to be sent to organic retail outlets.
Feeding pellets would be sourced from accredited organic suppliers and the laying chickens themselves from Baiada Poultry.
The council has requested information on the use of spotlights to deter dogs and foxes, feed storage, disposal of dead chickens and rotten eggs, manure disposal and frequency of delivery vehicle.
The council would also require conditions of approval relating to how the applicant proposes to manage any surface water runoff – which may contain contaminated material – into local watercourses.
The application is currently on display for public comment at the Warwick offices of the Southern Downs Regional Council at the corner of Albion and Fitzroy streets.
