A desire to lead a rural life was the reason for Claire Barnard and her partner’s move from Hertfordshire to raise organic sheep, lamas, geese, guinea fowl, ducks and a whole assortment of chickens on 21 acres of Soil Association approved land outside Penmachno at the top of the Conwy valley.

Starting with just 3 hens in the garden, Claire and Richard bought the adjoining 14 acres from which the hens had been helping themselves, using it to graze a pedigree flock of twenty-two Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep. The couple renovated an old farmhouse further out of the village, acquiring another 7 acres over which now range a one

hundred strong flock of traditional breeds including Rhode Island Reds, Light Sussex, Buff Sussex, Marans, Welsummers and Araucanas, famed for laying beautiful blue eggs. Producing up to 80 eggs a day, Claire sells these to colleagues at the school where she teaches and by direct sales.

The Khaki Campbell ducks and Chinese Geese roaming the farm add a more exotic note. “The duck eggs produce a slightly stronger flavour but only keep for three weeks, which is why chickens were adopted as the national flock during the War rather than ducks,” explains Richard, “and goose eggs are so large it only takes one to make an omelette!” Any eggs left over are also sold at local farmers markets. “We will be selling lamb and pork from this autumn and raising geese for Christmas. We’re also going to have a go at raising traditional Bronze turkeys for the Christmas market.”