Challenge Recycling Narrabri lays out innovative new business

Challenge Recycling Narrabri has spread its wings further with a new business initiative – raising and supplying laying hens to the region.

Challenge buys in one-day-old chicks, raises them up to 18 weeks old in purpose-built facilities and sells them locally and regionally to a ready market.

These are sold at any stage during this time. The venture is successful and growing.

“We are not just about recycling thousands of tonnes each year,” said manager Matt Keeffe.

“We set out to find and put in place business activities which would be interesting and fulfilling for our employees.

“Our supervisor at Challenge is John Pattison – he is very experienced in breeding hens and generously donated his poultry business to Challenge, along with his extensive knowledge and customer base

“This enabled us to launch our new business and it is going well.

“We started by trialling the program for a few months,” said Mr Keeffe.

“We have now run a few batches through from one-day-old chicks to laying stage”

Isa Browns are the chickens of choice, good layers known for their placid nature.

The Challenge chooks’ program has been developed and put into effect with the resources of the staff and materials at the facility.

“We have built our own facilities with recycled steel and other materials.

“Employees mix the locally-bought feed on site, and undertake all the cleaning, handling and husbandry.”

Animal husbandry is a priority.

“We have a purpose-built, temperature-controlled brooder room for the chicks and will now improve our capacity with a new designed and purpose-built brooder.

“We see great ongoing potential for the business.

“We are also investigating some offshoot businesses to run in conjunction with the chicken production,” Mr Keeffe said.

“There has been an upswing in sales, we think due to COVID.

“People are keen to have laying hens at home in their backyard – they typically buy anywhere from two upwards at a time.”

Challenge is looking at staged growth of the business, with Challenge chooks potentially going to an even wider market in the region.

“As we expand we will have to meet certain licence requirements, but we have the room, the personnel and the chicks so we are confident this business will continue to grow,” said Mr Keeffe.

There are 21 staff, including 12 supported employees at Challenge Recycling Narrabri which is on a 40 acre site.

Challenge appreciates the support given by John’s original customer base and would like the Narrabri community to support this initiative as this is not just a local business but also supporting people with disabilities learning new skill sets.

The clients are already showing a keen interest in the new business Challenge has acknowledged the support from Narrabri Farm Centre, Weel Australia and KA and VK Stubbs.

John Pattison was also thanked for making this venture possible.