"Des poules lâchées dans le vignoble de Bourgueil"
so on returning home we checked the story out online. It made interesting reading!
Apparently this is a national first and the brainchild of Philippe Boucard, a wine maker and Simon Vincent, a Belgian restaurateur.
The scheme involved fencing off an area of 5000m2 in a vineyard at Ingrandes-de-Touraine, near Bourgeuil, and then on 21st January, 250 hens were introduced to the area, free to roam among the vines doing what hens do best...
The aim of the scheme is for the hens to do work which a man would otherwise have to do: tidying up around the foot of the vines, turning the soil as they look for food. This in turn will keep down the number of bugs which are harmful to vines. It will also give the hens a good natural diet, improving their flavour and texture when they end up on the table in front of some discerning diner or other!
Philippe Boucard, chef at La Galotiere, joked:
"Nous sommes deux fous qui avons décidé d'essayer ça" (We are two fools who decided to try it)
Whilst they have no plans to extend the scheme to the other 45 hectares which Philippe Boucard owns, the two men hope it will prove beneficial to both of them.
To read more and see a video of the release of the hens, see here
Just a thought.................Wonder if they want to rent some hens??
2 comments:
C&E...
this is interesting...
the two lads who have taken on the orchard and veg business at the top end of Bossay-s-Claise are doing the same thing under some of their older fruit trees.
Along with some pigs to eat the fallen fruit...
it all makes sense!!
Don't forget the bird count!!
T & P We have registered the garden and will count later. Hope you are not flooded out. Rain Rain and more rain!!! If you need a hand with the ark... let us know!
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