Vacancies

Seasonal Christmas Team Member

As a Christmas bird producer we require additional team members to assist us in the processing and dressing of Christmas turkeys, cockerels, geese and ducks.  This is an excellent way to earn extra money for such an expensive time of the year.  We start processing on the 20th November and go through to the 20th December, 6 days a week (7 days a week in the last 2 weeks of December).  If you have never been near a turkey before it does not matter!  Skills required for this role are reliability, being cheerful and the ability to listen to some dubious music tastes!

The job role initially will be part of the team plucking birds.  This is not a hard job.  The birds are dipped in wax and once the wax is cool, when removed, the feathers come with it.  This position does require individuals to stand for periods of time however we have regular breaks throughout the day.  No lifting at all is needed.  As we progress through the season we then will be dressing the birds, all training for any specific tasks will be given.

We can offer a full time position or part time to suit.  We pay hourly and rate can be discussed.  

To be able to drive and have a car is essential as there is no public transport to our farm.

Please call and speak to Judy or email me at judy@heartofenglandfarms.com

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.

Poultry / Game Bird Stockperson

Heart of England Farms Ltd are one of the country's leading game bird farms. We produce high numbers of pheasants and partridges (both Redlegs and Greys), chicks and poults. Our extensive breeding flocks of birds are carefully managed and improved year on year, these produce huge numbers of eggs for hatching in our two state of the art modern hatcheries. Chicks are sold as day olds nationwide whilst also retaining day olds for rearing on site. Our rearing programme produces strong, healthy, well feathered poults.

With the close of the 2025 game season we are looking for a new and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Stockperson, learning our set up to be ready for season 2026. Working within our Game Management team this opportunity will afford you the time to work in all departments from chick rearing, through to poult rearing and breeding bird management.

It is vitally important that you have an interest in livestock, poultry and/or game birds. Working in our environment requires keen attention to detail which is imperative for the health and welfare of the birds. Repetitive checking, feeding, bedding, removal of dead, recording of dead, being accountable for your birds is all part and parcel of this role. Every member of staff here is fully hands on, this is NOT a 'hands off' stand back and watch management position. It is hard work that can be extremely physical which will require you to work efficiently during incredibly busy times.

Requirements for the role:- previous livestock/poultry/game bird commercial experience. Ideally minimum of 3 years working within this field. Time management, organisation and working in a clean and tidy manner are characteristics which are just as important. Evidence of qualification with Maths and English at GCSE level and then either A Levels or other further education. Subjects non important. We will require verbal/written references once a position has been offered.
Salary offered covers a wide range, the lower end would be for candidates with minimal commercial livestock experience and the upper end for individuals who can demonstrate 3 + years commercial livestock accompanied by either team leading capabilities or those who can demonstrate strong personal organisation and motivation in a previous role.  Details will be discussed with each applicant.

The role offered attracts a 40 hour (Mon - Fri) working week permanent contract however hours worked will easily average between 50-55 per week (all hours worked are paid for) which includes weekend work. Weekend work will be either a Saturday OR a Sunday but not both. Normal hours are 7:30am - 4:30pm with these hours increasing from the Spring as the laying season starts. Salary is to be discussed at meeting and is paid by the hour. Weekend work attracts a £ premium. Shared quality accommodation on site possible in a modern house.