A new breed of chicken designed to reflect the way chicken tasted ‘in the old days’ has put a Mount Vincent farm in the running for a national award.
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Little Hill Farm has been named a state winner in the NSW Delicious. Produce Awards for the second consecutive year, except this time it is their Joyce's Gold Heritage breed that had the judges impressed.
“There’s so much competition out there, I’m just pleased we are a state winner again, that in itself is a big achievement,” producer Kelly Eaton said.
Ms Eaton and Simon Carroll raise their chooks the old fashioned way.
They live longer lives and spend their days roaming lush pastures without fences. Two Maremma dogs watch over them and keep predators away.
That lifestyle – and the benefits of heritage breed genetics – has created a taste Ms Eaton said had “taken chicken to the next level”.
They buy the chickens from Queensland poultry breeder Robert Joyce who actually developed the Gold Heritage breed.
“We buy them at day old and we grow them out to between 14 and 18 weeks,” Ms Eaton said.
“They are different from our other chooks, they range further and they are more active.
“They’ve got a breed of chicken in them called naked necks and that part of their make up means they are better suited to the Australian climate.”
They are different from our other chooks, they range further and they are more active. They’ve got a breed of chicken in them called naked necks and that part of their make up means they are better suited to the Australian climate.
- Little Hill Farm's Kelly Eaton
Troy Rhoades-Brown, chef and owner at Muse Restaurant and Muse Kitchen nominated the farm.
“Muse has been using them and Troy was telling me how good they were – when we finally got the chance to taste them it really was next level – it’s got a great chicken flavour,” Ms Eaton said.
“They are a very authentic chicken and they make a great stock as well.”
The national winners will be announced later this year.