Farming you can
trust since 1981
Quail Valley Free Range Farm
Welcome to Quail Valley Free Range, a proudly family-owned and operated egg farm nestled in the beautiful Nelson region. Our family has been farming hens and producing eggs since 1981, when Lloyd and Gwen moved north from their sheep and cattle farm in North Otago to begin their poultry journey in Nelson. What began as a small, traditional mid-sized farm has grown and evolved through decades of change in the New Zealand egg industry.
The deregulation of the poultry industry in the late 1980s allowed us to take control of our own markets and expand our vision. Since then, we’ve continued to modernise, upgrade, and improve our farming systems - always striving to exceed the industry code of welfare and provide the highest standards of care for our hens.
In 2005, we recognised the growing demand for free-range eggs and purchased a small dairy block in Belgrove. This tranquil valley, with its rolling pastures, mature native trees, and natural streams, became the perfect home for what is now Quail Valley Free Range. Here, our hens roam, forage, and enjoy a natural outdoor environment that supports their health and happiness.
We bring in day-old chicks and raise them in purpose-designed rearing sheds. All our hens are fed high-quality, GE-free feed made in our own feed mill, ensuring their diet is fresh, natural, and traceable. Our focus remains on excellent hygiene, natural nutrition, and creating healthy living conditions for our birds.
Quail Valley Free Range is truly a multi-generational family business. Paul and his wife Jill now manage the farm, with Lloyd and Gwen still involved in supportive roles, and the third generation stepping in to help shape the future of our operation.
Our vision has always been Quality, Service, and Innovation. As the egg industry continues to evolve, our commitment stays the same:
to provide high-quality, safe eggs
to offer choice
to prioritise the welfare of our hens
to care for our environment
to help feed our growing population
At Quail Valley Free Range, we believe that the natural, peaceful environment our hens enjoy is reflected in the taste and quality of the eggs they produce. We’re proud to bring wholesome, delicious free-range eggs from our family to yours.
Caring For The Land That Cares For Us
At Quail Valley Free Range, sustainability isn’t a trend it’s a responsibility we take seriously. We believe caring for the land today protects the future of our farm for generations to come.
To reduce our environmental footprint, we have installed a solar farm capable of powering our entire operation, allowing us to harness clean, renewable energy every day. We use recyclable packaging and actively reuse materials wherever possible, helping to minimise waste across all areas of our business.
We also mill our own feed on-site, giving us complete control over exactly what goes into it. By carefully selecting quality ingredients and avoiding unnecessary additives, we ensure our hens receive balanced, natural nutrition while maintaining transparency in our farming practices.
Sustainable farming is at the heart of everything we do from the way we power our farm to the way we care for our hens and our environment.
Farm Shop @ 83 Main Road Hope
Proudly serving our community, the Quail Valley Free Range farm shop is your local stop for fresh, delicious eggs straight from our family farm. We offer a full range of both Free Range and Barn-laid options, all produced with care and high animal-welfare standards.
We love seeing familiar faces walk through our doors and are grateful for the support our community has shown us over the years — it’s what makes this little shop so special.
Opening Hours:
Monday–Friday: 8:30am–4:30pm
Saturday: 8:00am–3:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Pop in and grab your farm-fresh eggs — we’re always happy to see you!
SPCA Certified
https://www.foodmag.com.au/nzs-ewing-poultry-eggs-get-animal-welfare-approval/
Quail Valley Free Range is proud to be a farm that is SPCA Certified® for the eggs we supply throughout New Zealand.
“SPCA Certified is pleased to see Quail Valley Free Range continuing to carry the SPCA Certified® blue badge across its free range and barn egg products, a commitment they have maintained since 2017. Working with producers like Ewing Poultry helps ensure New Zealand consumers have access to a wide range of egg choices that meet higher animal welfare standards. When shoppers choose SPCA Certified eggs, they can do so with confidence knowing the hens have been farmed with care and their welfare prioritised” says SPCA Certified National Manager, Dr Kelly Drake.
Paul Ewing, General Manager of Quail Valley Free Range, says the certification reflects the farm’s long-held values.
“The high SPCA Certified® animal welfare standards align closely with our farming philosophy. We’re committed to producing food responsibly, and we fully support consumer awareness about how their food is farmed.”
“Our priority is the wellbeing of our hens. We are dedicated to providing the best possible conditions and producing nutritious, great-tasting eggs. In looking toward a sustainable future, we reviewed leading European welfare standards for free range and barn systems. We found that SPCA Certified® aligns strongly with both EU benchmarks and our own commitment to exceptional animal welfare,” he says.
Our Free Range and Barn eggs are available in the beautiful South Island, including at selected Pak’nSave, New World, Fresh Choice, Woolworths and Four Square stores across Christchurch, Kaikoura, Marlborough, Nelson, and the Tasman regions.
