The Sustainable History of the Original Sommerlad Heritage Chickens

The Sommerlad family originally hand-reared their slow growing heritage bred chickens on their 1,300 acre property ‘Kildare,’ just out of Tenterfield from 2014-2017. Six generations of traditional poultry practices has culminated in the development of a chook that boasts superior, high welfare characteristics. Active in foraging, balanced body conformation, strong legs, and a naturally improved endurance to diseases. These are the breeds of Australia’s yesteryear: Australian Game, Light Sussex, Croad Langshan, Plymouth Rock.

Here’s snapshot of the old farm, Kildare, in 2014, when Hand Sourced first started working directly with Kathryn and Michael.

Now, just one farm breeds and raises these exceptional birds. Meet our farmers here, or read on to learn more about these multi-award winning chickens as grown by Bryan and Kim Kiss, from Grassland Poultry.

Baby chicks hatch and brood, then move to explore paddocks where a life of free-range pasture awaits. Select birds aged between 12 and 16 weeks are chosen for Hand Sourced.

Chickens grow as chickens should. Naturally grazing on grass, grit and clean pasture soil, their instinctive foraging maintains prime gut health and gizzard development. The inherently slow growth allows organs, muscles and bones to grow in harmony, dismissing need for antibiotics and actinic intervention.

The Kiss family apply no agricultural chemicals. No synthetic fertilisers, no pesticides or herbicides. No nasties. It is a large investment. Up to four generations reside on the farm at any one time. In an age when nearly all chicken eaten in Australia comes from the same Ross or Cobb stock, Sommerlad represents a quiet revolution in our country’s chicken farming.

Differences to Note

Skin

Colours become deeper with outdoor pasture rearing and whole grain feeding. The skin on a Sommerlad can be attributed to exclusive parentage with variances from a deep yellow to a pinkish/white expected, depending on pedigree. In the kitchen, Sommerlad Chickens are known for their strong skin which offers exceptional handling quality and a superb crispness once cooked.

​Feathers

Sommerlad Chickens boast a natural hued plumage. Occasionally, signs of feathers may remain. More mature when processed, feathers have a stronger hold on the bird’s body. Every bird is ‘hand finished’ in preparation for packaging, and signs of their ruff is part of the guarantee of provenance.

Body Shape

Sommerlad Chickens have an elongated body, well-developed legs, and large, strong bones. Their outdoor foraging life and slow growth rate mean organs, muscles and skeletal system grow in harmony.

Flesh Colour

Meat colour varies within each bird. Typically, expect distinctly darker meat around the legs and thighs and cleaner, whiter breast meat. A delightful brownish/pink tinge is often evident in the cooked meat (usually through the legs and thigh); it should not be confused with under cooking and is natural.

Texture and Flavour

Heritage and slow growth give Sommerlad Chickens a distinctive and genuine depth of flavour. The texture is firm to the mouth. Their large strong bones are perfect for making nutritious stock.

‘Air-Chilling’ ‘Cold Scalding’ and superior processing