Running Guernsey Eggs 'challenging but amazing'

James and Jess Rihoy took on the business in January 2024

The directors of Guernsey Eggs, the island's only commercial egg farm, have said it has been "challenging but amazing" after they took on the business a year ago.

The couple, who had a dairy farming background before they took on the business, said they had thrown themselves into learning about egg production.

James Rihoy said the biggest challenges had been the weather and finances.

"Animal welfare costs money so we've been spending a lot of money on the site in renovating and looking after the animals," he said.

When they are ready to start laying in the next couple of weeks, the farm will produce about 12,000 eggs a day

Jess Rihoy said they had visited egg farms in the UK to research best practice and hoped their "birds are happier for it".

She said: "We learnt so much about what they give their birds every day in the way of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to keep them healthy and to keep your eggs as a good product."

The previous owners of the farm were planning to close it in March 2024 after a court order, as Environmental Health alleged a fly infestation in the area was caused by excrement from birds at the farm.

Mr and Mrs Rihoy said they had put the issues behind them and had been in constant dialogue with Environmental Health who said it was "pleased with their progress to date".

The farm has just welcomed 4,000 new chickens.

When they are ready to start laying in the next couple of weeks, the farm will produce about 12,000 eggs a day.