Job Ad: Nest Box Training Assistant, Tylden

We’re looking for a dedicated and observant individual to assist with nest box training for our 20-week-old hens. The role involves working hands-on with a large number of chickens, ensuring they are trained to use nest boxes.

Details:
• Dates: starting tomorrow 10th Dec, 11th Dec, 12th Dec, 14th Dec, 15th Dec, 16th Dec, 18th Dec, 21st Dec and possibly more depending on how the hens go.
• Start Time: 7:30 AM until finish.
• Pay: At award rate, cash payment.

Ideal Candidate:
• Comfortable working around a large number of chickens.
• Physically fit and agile to move around a chicken van.
• Has an interest or keen eye for animal behaviour.
• Tasks include gently picking up and relocating hens who are scoping or nesting outside of nest boxes.

Ideal for someone who lives nearby.

If you’re interested, please get in touch to discuss further! ... See MoreSee Less

Hi folks,

We have many 🐓🐓🐓 looking for their next home.

We have pickups available by appointment this Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday evenings from our farm in Tylden. After dark makes it easier for us and the hens but if it doesn’t work for you let us know.

They are hyline brown layers who are healthy and productive and just over 14 months old. They've received full vaccinations and laying well.

Here’s our pricing
- 4 for $50
- 8 for $90
- 12 for $120
- bulk buy special of 16 or more for $8 each

The hens will be neatly boxed and ready to go.

Please send us a private message to secure your order. Please note if you try and order via the comments we may accidentally miss it! ... See MoreSee Less

Hello friends and supporters,

First, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of support following our recent post. Your kindness and solidarity mean the world to us during these challenging times.

We feel it's important to share more about why this situation is so concerning—not just for us, but for you as consumers and for the future of ethical farming in Australia.

With small farms like ours facing hurdles that threaten our ability to operate your options for choosing where to buy your beef, lamb and other meat protein are rapidly diminishing. When local, ethical producers are pushed out, the market becomes dominated by large-scale operations that may not prioritize animal welfare, environmental sustainability, or transparency about their farming practices.

Here's what's happening:

Large feedlots are introducing new feed additives to reduce methane emissions from cattle. While we support efforts to combat climate change, these additives are new and unproven. They often contain synthetic chemicals like 3-Nitrooxypropanol, found in products such as Bovaer® 10.

Why is this concerning?

* Health and Safety Uncertainties: Although approved for use, the long-term effects of consuming meat from animals fed these additives are still being researched. Workers handling 3-Nitrooxypropanol are advised to wear protective gear, gloves goggles and masks to avoid exposure as it can damage fertility.

* Lack of Transparency: Without clear labeling, consumers may not know if the beef they're buying comes from cattle fed with these synthetic chemicals.

* Reduced Consumer Choice: As small farms are squeezed out, finding naturally raised, chemical-free beef becomes increasingly difficult.

What does this mean for you?

Your ability to choose wholesome, ethically raised meat is at risk. We believe you have the right to know what's in your food and how it's produced.

What can we do together?

* Stay Informed: Ask questions about where your food comes from and how it's raised.

* Support Local Farmers: Continue to choose products from small, ethical producers whenever possible.

* Advocate for Change: Encourage policymakers to support legislation allowing for commercial on-farm processing, which represents best practice in animal welfare and sustainability.

* Promote Transparency: Advocate for clear labeling of meat products and support small-scale farming operations.

We're committed to fighting for a future where you have access to natural, ethically raised beef. Your support strengthens our resolve.

Thank you for standing with us.

With gratitude,

Tim, Madeleine and Leela <3 ... See MoreSee Less

It’s a late night Black Friday special for our grassfed beef! It may be our last round for a while due to the disappointing news shared earlier.

If you would like it delivered we will be on the road tomorrow morning so let us know before 8am! You can also organise pickup from our farm in Tylden over the weekend.

Hamper 1 and Hamper 2 $250
0.6kg rump steak
0.5kg porterhouse
1kg osso bucco
1.65kg brisket
1.1kg casserole/chuck steak
2kg Mince
2kg Sausages

Hamper 3 and Hamper 4 $200
2kg Osso bucco
1kg casserole/chuck steak
1.6kg brisket
1kg sausages
2kg mince

Mince and/or sausages packs
5kg for $100

Thankyou kindly for your ongoing support ❤️🙏 ... See MoreSee Less

Our Farm Faces a Dire Challenge

Hey everyone,

We’ve got some tough news to share, and it’s not just about us—it’s about the future of small-scale farming and food security here in the Macedon Ranges and indeed Australia.

Yesterday, we received an email from Hardwicks abattoir in Kyneton, where we’ve been processing our grass-fed beef. As of January 1st, they’ll only process livestock for farmers who can meet their new minimum requirements—15 head of cattle or 50 sheep per kill. For farms like ours, that’s just not realistic. They’ve given us 30 days’ notice, and we’re left scrambling to figure out what’s next.

This decision effectively ends our ability to provide you with the ethically raised, humanely processed beef we’ve been so proud to share with our community. It’s devastating, not just for us, but for countless small farmers in the region—some of the best, like Warialda Belted Galloway, Jonai Farms, Walden Park, Sidonia, and Brooklands Free Range Meats, are in the same boat.

Hardwicks, once a family-owned business, was sold to Kilcoy Global Foods in 2021—a Chinese-owned company. Since then, they’ve shifted focus towards large-scale operations, and a huge proportion of the meat processed there is now exported offshore. While exporting isn’t inherently bad, it’s alarming when local farmers and communities are left behind, unable to access facilities to process food for Australians.

This is about more than just our farm. It’s about food security. Small farms like ours are essential for keeping food local, sustainable, and ethical. When small-scale farmers are forced out of the system, it means less diversity in food production, more reliance on imports, and fewer options for you, the consumer.

It’s hard not to feel defeated right now, but we’re not giving up without a fight. Small farms are the backbone of local food security and resilience. Let’s make sure we don’t lose them.

Thank you for standing with us. ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less