Our organic poultry

Organic Chickens - Day old chicks are reared indoors for about 3 weeks, after this they are introduced gradually to outdoor life and spend the next 2 months free range on organic pasture. They are housed at night in small groups of less than 200 birds. They are aged at least 3 months old before they reach your plate, this produces larger, better tasting chickens than the average supermarket birds. All chickens are now slaughtered and butchered on farm, reducing food miles.

Laying Hens - Our organic eggs are produced from Silver link/Bovans Nera and White Leghorn. Organic hens are bought at about 18 weeks old, we then keep them for 3-4 years in groups of 120 birds. They are totally free range during the day and are locked up at night to protect from foxes. They are fed on an organic layer pellet plus whatever they can find from foraging.
Organic Ducks - are reared for Christmas. After they grow their feathers they are kept outside on grass and have their own pond. They are at least 10 weeks old before being slaughtered on farm.
Our organic fruit and veg is grown in a two acre Georgian walled garden a few yards from the shop. We grow seasonal veg which means no strawberries at Christmas but plenty in June/July. We grow salads throughout the year in our poly tunnels. Fruit and veg includes cabbage, broccoli, kale, potatoes, parsnips, Jerusalem artichokes, turnips, swede, kohl rabi, spinach, chard, tomatoes, peppers, courgette, squash, apples, plums, strawberries, rhubarb, currants (white, red and black), parsley, basil, mint, sage, rosemary, thyme, fennel, sorrel and much more!

About the Farm

The one hundred and sixty acres of Swillington Organic Farm form part of the historic Swillington Park Estate.
The farm is home to all of our free range and organic animals. The farm has a diverse range of habitats providing a haven for wildlife and is the perfect place for our organic rare breed pigs, native breed cattle and sheep as well as free range organic poultry. These idyllic surroundings are only 5 miles from Leeds and easily accessible by car, bike, train and on foot.
We converted to organic farming in 2001 and have been fully certified as organic since then.

We aim to farm in an environmentally responsible way and are proud to be part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme which helps promote and support a wide variety of wildlife on the farm. To reduce food miles and pollution all our meat, vegetables, eggs and dairy are produced on the farm or within Yorkshire and we use a local slaughterhouse coupled with our butchery and poultry slaughter facilities on the farm.

The garden is fully organic and visitors are welcome during shop hours, even more welcome are those who want to do a spot of weeding!
As well as supplying the shop we also have a growing scheme (community supported agriculture scheme) where customers commit to a years membership and in exchange receive a weekly share of fruit and veg grown in the garden. For more please visit Swillington Farm web site. Veg not grown by us is sourced from other local organic growers.