Hampshire farmer warns a large number of chickens could be culled as demand for eggs falls

The warning comes from owner of Fluffets Farm, Ben Jackson, following a dramatic fall in the number of eggs ordered during lockdown.

Ben said: ‘If you can't sell the eggs you can't still keep feeding the chickens and therefore something has to give.’

Much of the fall in demand is due to a reduction in orders following the closure of schools to all but key worker children. The situation has been compounded by the closure of pubs and restaurants.

The Fordingbridge farmer had been supplying free range eggs to 350 Hampshire schools, but orders stopped with the advent of lockdown. The farm is home to more than 13,000 chickens laying 12,000 eggs each day but the cancellation of orders has led to a surplus of 4,000 eggs.

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth company designs new surface shield to help cut Covid

Ben added: ‘If we can't find a home for the eggs the worst-case scenario is that we may have to look to get rid of some of our chickens, but that's what we're trying to avoid.

‘Other chicken farmers are in the same situation - they are talking about potentially having to cull birds in the next week or so - it's not a decision that anyone wants to make.

‘We just want to get through this dark time - we're just taking it a day at time.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as fewer adverts, access to our digital edition and mobile app.

Our trial offer starts at just £2 a month for the first two months.