Chicken producer sets the standard

Hawke’s Bay organic chicken producers, Bostock Brothers, are farming in a league of their own.

New Zealand’s only organic free range chicken producer, Bostock Brothers’ commitment to quality and transparency has seen the Hawke’s Bay farm become a gold star in global standards for best practice and innovation.

Brothers and founders, Ben and George Bostock, have introduced a number of industry firsts for chicken production locally, including certified organic products, naturally grown chickens farmed longer, air-chilling and carbon-conscious practices as they work towards carbon-zero certification.

As a result of the brothers’ care and investment into the welfare of their chickens and the planet, they have found themselves in a league of their own.

Inspired by their late mother, who had an unwavering passion for food grown naturally and free from chemicals, the boys set to work honing their knowledge of healthy growing practices and transparent farming that would set them apart from all others in New Zealand.

“From start to finish, farm to plate, we’ve always strived to be the very best at what we do,” says Ben. “Chicken farming is incredibly complex and organic farming even more so, and we’re constantly looking for ways to better our practices, ensuring our chickens are happy, healthy and organic.

“By industry standards our farm is approximately 30 times more free range than factory free-range producers too. It’s about guaranteeing we deliver a far superior end product to the consumer every single time. One that tastes good, but one that they can also feel good consuming.”

While their dedication to organic and free range comes with a number of intricacies, it’s the brothers’ love of innovation and their integrity which sees them stay true to their vision.

“To be free-range organic requires you to completely overhaul your farming approach. Our production equates to around one percent of the total market locally and while that number may seem small, it’s our size that allows us to remain certified organic, also ensuring our chickens are truly free-range in every sense of the word.

“We’re up to 30 times more free range than the industry factory free range marketed brands and you’ll see our birds roaming freely every time you visit the farm – two things we’ll forever be proud of,” Ben continues.

Having seen first-hand the varying standards of free-range farming in practice, the brothers were even more determined to give their chickens the best life.

“When we started this journey, our perception of free-range chicken farming was birds roaming freely in open fields, but we didn’t see this, because in reality that’s not the case,” says George. “And this really spurred us on to make sure Bostock Brothers’ production matched that idyllic free-range vision. We always wanted our birds to live longer, happier lives than any conventional free-range chicken and that’s exactly what they do.”

Bostock Brothers’ commitment to organic standards also means their birds enjoy a life roaming freely between organic apple trees and uniquely designed French chalets that provide ample shelter and access to an expansive outdoor area.

“Our flocks thrive on a wholesome diet of certified-organic green grass and juicy apples as well as our home-grown feed,” continues George. “And they grow naturally, which means the meat is better formed and superior tasting. And, of course, our products are free from chemicals, antibiotics, artificial hormones and genetic modification.

“For us, investing in a quality environment is all about yielding quality results.”