Leonie McIntosh raises outstanding free-ranging, naturally-fed chickens on Great Farm in the Cotswolds. Leonie’s love of poultry and animals in general began on her family’s farm in Ireland. She was vegetarian for many years, and her concern for animal health and welfare informs everything she does on the farm.
A former farm advisor to banks, the daughter of farmers and the niece of a poultry farmer, Leonie began chicken farming following her honeymoon during which she and her husband enjoyed a meal of guinea fowl, which led her to wonder why more British producers weren’t raising guinea fowl here (the majority coming from France). Initially starting with guinea fowl, the chef, James Graham, encouraged her to also raise chickens.
Following years of experimentation with different breed and invaluable support from James, Leonie’s small farming business is flourishing, with up to 350 hens per week going off for slaughter and sale to local residents, butchers, farm shops and restaurants, including Allium in Fairford and The Swan at Southrop. The birds are also used for school dinners at the local primary school.
Fastidious in the level of care that she applies at every stage of her chickens’ lives from birth to slaughter, Leonie inspects every single chicken pre- and post- slaughter before it’s sold. Her Free Ranger chickens are a breed ideally suited to slower growth and a free range system, with their strong legs enabling them to travel long distances to forage for worms and grubs - a natural diet which is supplemented by her home grown wheat. They are bred to roam and make the best of their natural environment. She believes that free range is all about offering the birds the opportunity to express their natural behaviours – which leads to delicious tasting chicken.
Leonie’s chickens are available to buy direct from Great Farm and from local butchers and farmers’ markets. Winner of a Great Taste Gold Award (Guild of Fine Foods) and Best Food Producer of the Year (Cotswold Life Awards 2008).