Rutland Organic Poultry
Organic turkeys, geese, cockerels, chickens and venison with flavour
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Telephone:
01780 722009
Rutland Organic Poultry
Frequently Asked Questions
What is organic?
How do I know a product is organic?
If drugs are not used, what happens if an animal becomes ill?
Why are organic products more expensive?
How do I solve the goose conundrum? *Special Offer*
How do I work out how big a bird I should order?
How many people will a saddle of venison feed?
Where can I buy your organic poultry and venison?
How long does it take to rear a turkey for Christmas?
When should I buy turkey eggs to hatch for Christmas?
How long do turkey eggs take to hatch?
What is organic production?
Organic production recognises the link between environment, health and the food we eat.
In organic farming:
- use of chemical sprays and artificial fertilizers is not allowed - organic farmers cultivate nutrient-rich soil to grow strong healthy crops and encourage wildlife to help control pests and disease
- crop rotations are developed, making use of natural fertilizing crops, such as clover which fixes nitrogen in its roots
- animal cruelty is prohibited and farm animals are guaranteed a truly free-range life
- the routine use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers is disallowed - instead farmers use preventative methods, like moving animals to fresh pasture and keeping smaller herd size
- the production and use of GM in animal feed is banned
See Soil Association website for more about organic standards and a consumers guide to the Soil Association organic standards (righthand navigation panel).
How do I know a product is organic?
Products claiming to be organic in UK must display a certification symbol or number. This tells you a product has been produced to organic standards which are checked by the certification body.
An organic product must be produced to at least the UK and EU organic standard, though certification bodies can make higher standards part of their schemes.
Soil Association farmers farms are inspected, records checked, animals viewed and management policies approved. All this ensures the certification symbol or number is only used on products produced in compliance with the Soil Association standard.
If drugs are not used, what happens if an animal becomes ill?
Routine use of antibiotics is not permitted, but if an animal or group of animals becomes ill, antibiotics/drugs are permitted to prevent unnecessary suffering. Withdrawal periods following a course of antibiotics on an organic animal are up to three times longer than the minimum permitted. Some diseases can be vaccinated against but not effectively treated - vaccines may be used if there is a known problem on a farm.
Why are organic products more expensive?
Organic production does not allow intensive farming. Animals and birds grow more slowly in organic systems, crops do not yield as highly. Breeds which have shown natural immunity to diseases and are adapted to free-range conditions are often used. Animal feed is approved by the certification body also. There is no GM, or artificial fertilisers/chemicals used in production of organic feed.
Thus the premium you may pay is for:
- growing animals and birds more slowly to develop flavour
- not using chemicals/artificial fertilisers on grass or crops
- using only approved feed, grown organically
- free-range animal welfare of the highest standard
- assurance that organic food does not contain pesticides or other chemicals from production
- protection of the environment and wildlife
How do I solve the goose conundrum?
What is the goose conundrum, we hear you ask?
Last year with 9 to feed, we cracked the "8 person / no leftovers goose conundrum" by opting for two geese. The legs were removed and marinated for 'Confit' later, and the breast roasted for the Christmas meal. This meant easy carving (breast fillets removed whole and sliced transversly), goose fat for the Confit and roast potatoes, and best of all, perfectly cooked breast meat without over-cooked legs.
Because of this we are offering two or more geese at a lower price, so you can try it too (Confit recipe/carving instructions included!).
How do I work out how big a bird I should order?
This is a guide only: A lot depends on appetites and if you want leftovers!!! We try to give you a bird within 2lbs. (1 kilogram plus or minus) of your requested weight. We will only charge you for up to 1kg above your requested weight.
| Bird | weight | No. of people to feed |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Christmas Goose | 8lb - 10lbs | 6 people |
| (no leftovers) | 10 - 13lbs | 8 |
| Organic Christmas Cockerel | 6 - 8lbs | up to 4 people |
| Organic Christmas Cockerel | 8 - 10lbs | up to 6 |
| Organic Christmas Cockerel | 10 - 12lbs + | up to 8 |
| Organic Christmas Turkey | < 8lbs | up to 3 people |
| Organic Christmas Turkey | 8 - 10lbs | up to 4 |
| Organic Christmas Turkey | 12 - 14lbs | up to 6 |
| Organic Christmas Turkey | 16 - 18lbs | up to 8 |
| Organic Christmas Turkey | 20lbs + | 10 + people |
How many people will a saddle of venison feed?
| Organic Venison saddle whole including fillet - bone-in | 8 - 10 people |
| Organic Half saddle with or without fillet - bone-in | 4 - 5 |
Where can I buy your organic poultry and venison?
Sadly, it is no longer economically viable for us to attend Farmers' Markets. However, we have decided to continue rearing chickens at certain times in the year.
Please email or call us if you would like to buy our chickens.
How long do turkeys take to rear for Christmas?
Our turkey chicks are slow growing heritage breeds. If you buy day old turkey chicks we recommend you get them in May, June or July. Our Christmas turkeys are reared from May hatched turkey chicks. Because they grow more slowly than commercial birds, they need to be fed well, for longer to ensure they are finished for Christmas. They do taste much better for it!
You could buy 6 week old poults in August and still expect them to finish for Christmas if you feed them well.
When should I buy turkey eggs to hatch?
Turkeys do not lay eggs all year round. They start laying in spring and finish around August normally.
If you want to hatch turkeys for the following Christmas market, with rare breeds you need to have them hatched by early July at the latest.
How long do turkey eggs take to hatch?
Turkey eggs normally hatch in 28 days.
Organic Christmas Turkey, Goose and Cockerel
We are continuing to produce our Christmas Organic Turkeys, organic geese and organic cockerels. Order from October onwards, first come first served - deposit secures your order. See Price list page for more details.
Venison boxes are available fresh or frozen (depending on the time of year) by arrangement.
Mail Order
For orders you are unable to collect from the farm, we use mail order - overnight delivery in an insulated box with with icepacks. We charge you the cost of the courier for this service.