In Saint-Gravé, their small natural farm was caught within the fowl storm – Bretagne

On a ridge within the Lanvaux moors, in Saint-Gravé, life on the Bréhon natural farm has resumed. 300 Noirans laying hens have returned to the cellular hen home since June 3, round fifty Rennes cuckoo clocks supplied by breeders are housed in a second shelter, a number of goats, cows and calves ecograze in a really inexperienced plot. Within the vegetable backyard, greens, flowers and fragrant vegetation…

300 wholesome hens examined the day earlier than by a veterinarian

5 months in the past, on April 8, Myriam and Hendrik went via an actual ordeal, six months after taking up this former natural dairy farm. That day, “a dozen State service brokers got here to slaughter our first 300 hens, wholesome, in good condition, examined the day earlier than by a veterinarian, below the watchful eye of about twenty mates and neighbors. got here to assist us. The puncture within the neck, the piling up within the bucket, the loading within the dumpster, appalling”, recounts the thirty-year-old couple.

The laying hens of the Bréhon farm have undergone a preventive slaughter. They had been then nestled within the coronary heart of a safety zone, between two foci of avian influenza: 800 m away, a farm of 27,000 geese, contaminated with the virus following the supply of contaminated ducklings from a Maine-et-Loire cooperative hatchery; 3 km away, a farm of the identical ilk, with 24,000 poults, additionally affected.

We don’t take avian flu calmly, however political and well being selections have put us in nice issue, made us dwell in an unfair scenario.

“That very morning, we had collected eggs. The toughest factor is to seek out your self alone, to face the silence, to return to the henhouse to show off the small automations, the lighting…”, testifies Hendrik. “We don’t take avian flu calmly, however political and well being selections have put us in nice issue, made us dwell in an unfair scenario. We weren’t a danger. Economically, it is a catastrophe, preventive felling,” provides Myriam, her eyes moist.

“We had been shocked, however we by no means gave up”

In turmoil, as an indication of resilience. Three hens survived, discovered the following day below the ground of the hen coop. “Warriors,” they smile afterwards. We had been shocked however we by no means gave up. We looked for options, constructed a second cellular hen coop and an egg packing centre, housed animals to interrupt the silence and provides us an excellent cause to return to the farm, and assist got here shortly. »

Amongst these, a web-based assortment, “Sponsor a hen”, launched by residents of the sector and arranged by the buddies of the Confédération paysanne. The gathering reached €3,364. Sufficient to purchase 300 new hens in a decent market. Suppliers have performed the sport of cost deadlines. A poultry farmer gave them eggs to promote, which allowed Myriam to maintain her locations on the markets of Malestroit, Questembert and Rochefort-en-Terre (56), along with presently providing them in native outlets. and on the farm.

“We begin with lentils, potatoes”

The couple assesses the lack of earnings at €30,000, will in all probability get €5,000 from state providers, 50% of which has been paid, two months after the slaughter. He’s hoping for €25,000 after submitting a compensation file on the FranceAgriMer platform, not with out issue, with the assist of Solidarité Paysans Bretagne.

There stays the undertaking, that of a breeding progressively elevated to 1,200 hens born on web site, related to polyculture. “We begin with lentils, potatoes. We’re aiming for autonomy for processing: rapeseed and sunflower oil press, flour mill for buckwheat, cereal sorting system. And all the time, to supply the freshest and most qualitative merchandise, in full transparency”, aspire Hendrik and Myriam.

On the Bréhon farm, 30 of the 66 hectares – together with 5 hectares bought, the remainder rented – are dedicated to feeding poultry. An strategy far faraway from intensive farming.