Nathan Dennis
1st Generation Egg Farmer- Long Range Poultry Farm, Cormack, NL
As a first generation egg farmer from Picadilly, Nathan Dennis has built his poultry farm from the ground up.
Located on the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador in the community of Cormack, Long Range Poultry Farm provides the province with the first commercial free-run poultry barn.
Nathan Dennis
1st Generation Egg Farmer- Long Range Poultry Farm, Cormack, NL
As a first generation egg farmer from Picadilly, Nathan Dennis has built his poultry farm from the ground up.
Located on the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador in the community of Cormack, Long Range Poultry Farm provides the province with the first commercial free-run poultry barn.
Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Nathan’s flock grew to over 99 birds. He raised and maintained his flock at his family homestead until eventually leaving to work full time at the dairy farms in Cormack, Newfoundland. While living and working in one of the major agricultural areas in the province, Nathan was inspired to apply as a new applicant with Egg Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador and sourced out a farm that needed some new life. He missed having his own flock.
“I always had an interest in poultry, and I always liked the laying hens,”
Seeing an opportunity in a niche market, Nathan established Long Range Poultry Farms as the province’s first and only commercial free-run barn on the island. Free-run barn systems allow the birds to roam freely through different levels of the barns and demonstrate more of their natural behaviour. Nathan believes that hens can live content and healthy lives in a variety of systems, and while it costs more to operate a free-run system, he’s happy to have had the opportunity to have adopted a system within a niche market.
Nathan loves his work on the farm. Early mornings tending to the birds, collecting eggs, helping employees, and making sure the farm is running smoothly are what keep his days interesting.
“It’s always a challenge”
says Nathan, who collects the dozens of eggs three times a day, wading through the thousands of chickens who have free reign of the barn.
Nathan is embracing his lifestyle as a poultry farmer, “Knowing that we’re producing a fresh, high-quality product for Newfoundland consumers is fulfilling.” Nathan hopes to pass on the farm to future generations of poultry farmers as it continues to grow and expand.
Favourite Recipe
Moose ‘n Eggs Quiche
Although Nathan claims to enjoy his eggs in the simplest form cooked over-easy and served with toast and tea, he appreciates all eggs are delicious no matter how they are prepared.
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 35-40 min
Ingredients
Instructions
1. In a skillet, cook ground moose and onion until moose is browned and onion is tender.
2. Stir in basil, oregano, and garlic powder.
3. In a small bowl, beat eggs, milk and mayonnaise; stir into meat mixture.
4. Fold in cheeses.
5. Pour into unbaked pastry shell. Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes at 350F (175C), or until a knife inserted near the centre comes out clean.
6. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting and serving. Salt and pepper to taste.