Vacancies

Chick Rearing Management Assistant

Company Overview

Heart of England Farms Ltd is one of the country's leading breeders, hatchers, and rearers of game birds. We are looking for a new staff member to join our team on the main rearing site. Working alongside the Farm Manager you will be assisting in the rearing of large quantities of pheasants and partridges for this coming season.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the daily care and management of game bird chicks, ensuring their health and well-being.
• Daily routine checks, feeding and maintenance of the water systems.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of rearing facilities.
• Assist with bird care activities, including health monitoring.
• Use hand tools and power tools safely for maintenance tasks.
• Follow all safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment.

Role Requirements

• Commercial experience in livestock management or agriculture.
• Basic knowledge of mechanical systems, irrigation, or equipment maintenance is preferred.
• Ability to perform physical tasks including some heavy lifting.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Strong work ethic and team spirit.
• Basic math skills for record-keeping.
• Prior experience with specifically with poultry would be beneficial but not compulsory.

The successful candidate will also become involved in the day to day requirements of running a busy working farm, again assisting with pest control, landscape management and ongoing maintenance.  At different times in the season you will also become involved in the wider requirements of the company whether that be breeding birds, hatching, poult catching and the production of Christmas birds for the Christmas market. This is an exciting role with lots of variety as the year evolves. 

-          40 hour (Mon-Fri) working week permanent contract however hours worked will easily average between 45-50 hours per week (all hours worked are paid for) which includes weekend work.

-          Weekend Work will either be a Saturday OR Sunday but not both.

-          Normal working hours are 7:30am – 4:30pm with these hours increasing from the spring as the rearing season starts.

-          Salary is to be discussed at meeting and is paid by the hour. Weekend work attracts a £ premium. Quality accommodation on site possible in a modern house however this isn’t suitable for families. 

Agricultural Workshop Fabricator/Fitter/Mechanic/Welder

We are currently seeking a Workshop Fabricator/Welder to join our team.

Working within our onsite farm workshop you will be working in a team who are responsible for the maintenance of buildings/equipment and the fabrication of new equipment. The role will be varied with projects being dependent upon the current and approaching season.

Essential skills required alongside the practical abilities mentioned below will be the ability to be self-motivated, tackling new projects by thinking around problems and finding working solutions.

Previous fabrication/welding experience using ARC or MIG welding necessary with any knowledge of diesel and petrol machines would being advantageous . An interest in or previous knowledge/experience of large farming machines such as diggers, bobcats, telehandlers etc will be useful, or someone with right attitude to research and learn on any equipment not used before.

We are looking for a reliable and conscientious person prepared to work on their own initiative with enthusiasm, a positive attitude and a sense of humour. The successful candidate must be able to take responsibility and work independently as well as part of a team.

Salary to be discussed and will be dependent upon experience.

Part time and Full time roles

As we approach our busy Spring and Summer season new exciting roles have arisen.  These roles can be part time positions or amalgamated to create a full time role to suit.

Chick Box Making

Each week we deliver our day old chicks to customers all around the UK.  These chicks are delivered in cardboard boxes especially designed for this purpose.  The boxes come into us flat packed and need to be assembled.  Key skills will be attention to detail as it is important that they are constructed correctly to prevent escaping chicks and also able to work efficiently and quickly.  You will be required to produce a set number of boxes for each hour worked.  A pleasant job which will keep you active but with no heavy lifting. Hours can flexible as chick boxes can be constructed at any time so the role can work around any other commitments you may have.

Van Delivery Driver

Once we start hatching on a weekly basis (from mid April) we require a number of chick delivery drivers.  You will need to be a confident driver able to drive vans ranging in size from mid range to long wheel base.  All van routes are pre organised and customers notified of time of arrival due to the nature of what you are carrying.  You will be required to arrive for your given departure time on a Tuesday morning, (we tend to start very early), the van will be pre loaded for you and the paper work ready.  You must use a Sat Nav/Mobile route finding application.  On any given route you may have a full van going to one customer or maybe several orders for different customers therefore dropping and different addresses on your route.  As mentioned all routes are pre planned for you.  We do deliver to all four coasts and so long distance driving will be required including partaking in routes to Scotland.  An interesting role where you will meet lots of different customers in some beautiful parts of the country.

Pressure Washing

The role of pressure washer is a vital position within company.  Bio security has to be of the highest standard within our hatchery environment requiring great attention to detail.  In addition rearing sheds require disinfecting as batches move to then be made ready for the next batch and finally the ongoing washing of equipment used on the farm.  An active role which will suit an individual who takes great pride in their work and loves things to be clean!  This position does require certain days for working however some work can be to suit.

All roles will be paid hourly on a bi weekly basis.  We are a farm and you must be happy to work in a farming environment.  Should an individual be looking for a full time role then there will be additional duties you can be involved with on the farm.  Working with the team supporting them in group tasks working with birds. 

Game Farm (Pheasants) / Poultry Assistant

We are a busy and progressive business breeding and rearing game birds (pheasants and partridges) currently requiring a practical and enthusiastic person to fill this position for a Farm Assistant.

Heart of England Farms Ltd over-winter large flocks of birds for breeding in the following season. These flocks are then paired or grouped in the Autumn and the following early Spring to be settled for the start of the breeding season. All birds undertake a health inspection and rigid vaccination programme to ensure their health and the ongoing health of their off-spring. Laying commences in early Spring when our hatchery starts producing the first day old chicks in mid April. Batches of chicks are kept week on week to be reared on to poults.

Initially you will be working within different teams and will help with the responsibility of our breeding birds. Sorting birds from their winter quarters, assisting with the vaccination programme, then placing into the breeding units. Then as the spring progresses you will assist with egg collecting and egg washing on a daily rota basis. Power washing duties will include, equipment used in the rearing of birds, buildings and hatchery on a weekly basis. You will work with the team on a 'bitting' gang, catching birds for sale and working with the staff responsible for the rearing of the birds.

To be suitable for this role you may have some livestock experience, this need not be in game birds but beneficial if you do. It is very important that you are prepared to take responsibility and able to work alone or as part of a team. You will ideally have worked in a similar environment and have prior experience of livestock management.

Salary is totally dependent upon your experience and will be discussed at interview. We are interested in seeing the details of both experienced people who can hit the ground running and are looking for high levels of responsibility or those who have little experience and would like to gain in their knowledge and grow into the role. We have opportunities for both levels of ability.

We offer a 40 hour working week contract (Mon - Fri).  However the actual hours worked will be between 48-55 per week inc weekends.  Weekend work (either a Saturday or Sunday NOT both) is required during busy times. Weekend work attracts an additional pay bonus.  We pay hourly not annually so all hours worked are paid for!

The successful applicant must be able to provide past employment reference contact details for us to follow up.