W Patterson, Cumbria

On the outskirts of Appleby, by the A66, stands a Powell & Co free-range poultry unit for 6^th generation farmer Will Patterson.  Will has recently taken on managing the farm business from his father William and with his wife Claire; they were looking for a new venture that stood independent of the beef and sheep enterprise.  Importantly they wanted a revenue stream that was not reliant on subsidies and would future proof their business for the 7^th generation.

What started as a shed in the garden with 15 free-range chickens has switched to a steel-framed 457ft x 65ft free-range poultry unit housing 32,000 Lohmann Brown layers.  Although a steep learning curve for Will and Claire they have not looked back.  The family produce eggs as part of the Lloyds Animal Feeds contract supplying weekly to Chippendales for consumers to buy off the shelves in Morrisons.

Special Features

• Clear span steel frame
• Don’s doors comprising of clamped aluminium for perfect fit
• Newquip 264 nest system
• Chain feeder system from Collinsons silos
• Multi tier system by Newquip
• Powells specific bio-security layout
• Raised packing room to 1.2 metres so lorries can load easily

Why Powells?

“We currently farm 100 beef sucklers and a flock of 700 of Aberfield X and Cheviot ewes as well as growing 40 acres of barley and additional acreage of stubble turnips, kale and fodder beet for forage.  With four young children we felt a new string to our business was required, and with my wife Claire wanting to get involved with the farm we decided her interest in poultry would be a commercial proposition worth perusing.  Following lots of research we commissioned Powell & Co to build a free-range unit.  From the moment we dealt with the team right through to completion the service has been brilliant.  It is been a pleasure dealing with the whole team and it felt like they were literally just down the road.  The quality and finish of our building is second to none and is a real showcase from the A66.”  Will Patterson, Coupland Beck Farm, Cumbria

Find out more about our Free Range Units.