Fontana Heritage Poultry

About Fontana Heritage Poultry

Our History

Established almost 30 years ago, Fontana Heritage Poultry was founded in 1995.

Located in the picturesque hills of Strath Creek or fondly known as the Valley of A Thousand Rolling Hills we are situated 80 km’s North of Melbourne. Whilst a bit of a pass by kind of spot we are roughly 20 minutes from Yea, Kinglake West and Broadford.

Over the decades we have been breeding, showing and involved in different clubs.

In recent years we have created 8 new colour varieties of the Barnevelder chicken, with our established Silver Double Laced Barnevelder now found in all the far corners of Australia.

Originally known for Barnevelders and Dorkings, over the last 3 years we have been busy, carefully selecting new heritage breeds to work with. Selecting only the best birds of various breeds to bring into our breeding program, all of our birds meet the Australian Poultry Standard.

Our birds are all selected to have good temperaments and great laying capabilities.

Philosophy

We specialise in breeding and keeping outstanding quality birds, for ourselves and for the preservation of these select heritage breeds. A part of preserving these rare breeds is the sharing of quality birds with other poultry enthusiasts to ensure they are around and true to their breeds for future generations to enjoy.

We work tirelessly to ensure our birds are strong, healthy and disease free. We do not vaccinate. We keep an isolated disease-free flock with strict bio security.

With 30 years experience we offer ongoing support for our customers.

When selecting breeds and parents birds not only do we ensure they are meeting the breed standard but also put a strong emphasis into optimal laying abilities. Whilst we are best knowns for our Barnevelders, having created the silver double laced Barnevelder that can now be found all over Australia, we have also been busy breeding and working on a couple of new carefully selected breeds of poultry.

Including dedicated heritage utility breeds.

Sales are not done through our website as our stock is forever changing, we keep an ongoing waitlist for fertile eggs and day-old chick sales will be conducted at the farm gate during the breeding season. Please call with orders or enquires.

Farm Practises

Good for the earth… we use regenerative farming principles.

We cycle through our cattle and chickens weekly to benefit the land.

Our small heard of cattle graze the grass, drop urine and manure and encourage insects. Next our chickens are moved onto the land after the cattle, the grass is still roughly 5 inches long. The chickens scratch through the manure left by the cattle looking for insects and in doing so spread the manure to fertilise a larger area of land. Holistic pasture management.

Heritage breeds of chickens, bred, hatched and raised by us, on our farm.This means that unlike commercial hatcheries, we NEVER kill male chicks at one day-old. Male chicks are grown out alongside their sisters. Once chicks have developed enough feather growth to maintain their own body temperature, they leave the heated brooders and spend the next 3 months in fully fenced outdoor paddocks free to roam, scratch and forage for insects in the grass. Once they reach 4 months of age they are upgraded to our mobile free ranging paddocks.

Our rooster to hen ratio’s are precise for optimum fertility, hen health and record keeping. All our birds are raised and bred on a premium diet, including fresh pasture and unlimited shell grit.

From our farm to you...

Fertile Eggs (2025 WAITLIST OPEN)

Day-Old Chicks (2024 SEASON CLOSED)

We have been successfully shipping fertile eggs around Australia for 10 years. Eggs are precisely packed and posted on Mondays with Australia Post, tracking provided.

Over 4 days we select quality uniform eggs, that are clean, well shaped and have strong shell quality.

We keep meticulous fertility records with fertility at 90% before being sold.

prices

Day-Old Chicks (2024 SEASON CLOSED)

Healthy day-old chicks at the farm gate. We sell 'sexed' female chicks of most breeds, allowing you to choose and select a colourful group for your backyard. We can also make breeding groups for the future home breeder.

Price range per chick- $15 - $20.

Chicks available fortnightly on a Saturday & Sunday at a local meeting point.

prices

Adult birds

Day-Old Chicks (2024 SEASON CLOSED)

Adult birds

From time to time we have adult birds available. Through the season we have pullets of varying ages available. Often we will post excess birds on our Facebook page.