Western Farm, Kingsdon was established in the 1950’s when egg production was required to meet the post-war demand. Joe Attwell had a true passion for poultry that he used to build his 32,000 strong poultry farm. Back then keeping hens in batteries was normal and accepted; where Joe was different was that he’d keep less hens per battery than he was allowed, to improve their welfare. He also bred chicks – and sent them all over the world. 
Now run by us, Joe’s grandson Paul and fiancée Bex, we do things a little differently with hens kept free-range as much as possible* and far lower numbers. We have a mixed smallholding of approx 12 acres on which we keep our few Dexter cattle, small flock of sheep and approximately 100 hens, with plans to gradually scale up the poultry to a maximum of 350 birds. At present they are kept for eggs although in time we may look at producing some meat birds as well.

We’re based on the edge of the small village of Kingsdon in South Somerset UK, where we have a self-serve kiosk in our yard for eggs and compost. We are starting to take our eggs to local farmers markets as well.

On our smallholding we also run Ruffles Hen Hotels, providing hospitality for visiting hens whose owners might be going on holiday or moving house.

*When Avian Flu flockdown restrictions dictate, our hens are kept in a large airy barn.