Free Range Eggs Free Range Eggs have been laid by hens that have continuous daytime access to open-air runs and the ground must be mainly covered with vegetation, ie. grass.

Hen Houses The majority of Oxenrig Hen Houses are Mobile, allowing greater flexibility of operations. This creates smaller flock sizes ensuring that more hens go outside than the larger static shed system. Our Mobile Sheds have been designed to blend in with the surrounding countryside.

Click Here to see some photos of our hens.

Quality Feed for Quality Food Our feedstuff is manufactured using only wholesome ingredients, including cereals, vegetable proteins, vitamins and trace minerals. No hormones, growth promoters, antibiotics or animal bi-products are added to any of our poultry feeds. Our feed manufacturer uses rigorous quality control standards from intake of raw materials to the distribution of the finished feed to our farm.

What do you get from an egg? Eggs are rich in protein but comparatively low in calories - an average medium egg has an energy value of approximately 82 calories. They contain less than 11% fat of which 63% is polyunsaturated and provide two important minerals for health: Iron & Calcium.

How can you be sure of quality? Egg quality is mainly determined by the freshness of the egg. When a fresh egg is cracked onto a plate, two distinct layers can be seen, an outer slightly watery layer and a more viscous layer that supports the yolk. The less fresh the egg, the less distinct the two layers of the white.

Egg Storage Eggs should be stored in a refrigerator as their freshness can deteriorate with increase in temperature. Remove from the fridge a little while before use for the best cooking results.

The Unique Properties of Eggs Eggs have many unique properties which can be put to good use - not only are there 6 simple methods of cooking eggs by themselves - boiling, baking, poaching, frying, scrambling and omelette - they also play an important role in general food preparation at home or commercial catering.

What does Lion Quality mean? The Lion Quality mark on eggshells and boxes means that the eggs have been produced to standards of hygiene and animal welfare greater than those required by UK or EU law. Standards for Lion Quality eggs include vaccination of lion egg-producing flocks against Salmonella, a "best before" date on eggs and egg packs, which show that they are fresher than required by law, and fully traceable.

Brittish Egg Information Service http://www.britegg.co.uk

Pullets:

Supplied by an "approved" supplier

Houses & Packing Station:

Inspected and Registered by the Department of Agriculture as "Free Range" Reg No UK-7-072

Hens:

Daytime access to open pastures (approved acreage) food & water available at all times - housed at an approved density

Vaccination Program:

Full vaccination program prior to arrival, inc. salmonella vac at 12 and 18 weeks

Salmonella Testing:

Hens, eggs and houses are routinely tested for traces of Salmonella

Traceability:

Point of lay hens supplied by an approved breeder, records kept on all houses and hens

Feed:

Especially prepared mix for free range hens, supplied by registered feed company, available at all times

Eggs:

Only first quality eggs packed - all graded eggs packed with label stating sell by date, name, address and registration number and graded weight

Welfare Provisions:

Vaccination program, food and water available at all times, comfortable internal environment, access to outside pastures during daylight hours, protected from predators by perimeter fencing, flocks inspected at regular intervals throughout the day

Scottish Egg Producer Retailers Association http://www.scottisheggs.co.uk

The Association is made up of Scottish egg farmers, who produce and market their eggs either through shops or direct to you. They produce cage, barn or perchery eggs, free range eggs or organic eggs.