1 month, 2 weeks ago

Why hens have become an unlikely ally in restoring olive groves

Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In turn, the hens provide natural fertiliser for the olive trees, contributing to the production of olive oil rich in polyphenols, known for their anti-inflammatory properties. open image in gallery Retired farm hens feed on scraps of leftover food at a farm, where they are used to fertilise and mow olive groves Their droppings enrich the soil, and feeding them with food waste reduces the amount of methane-producing organic matter going into landfill. The hens can enjoy a long retirement among the olive trees, living for eight to 10 years despite only laying eggs until the age of 2. open image in gallery An overhead view of the olive grove "The goal here is to create a biodiverse, self-sustained ecosystem that can sustain really high temperatures and long droughts. Netien, who holds the world record for producing olive oil with the highest polyphenol content, said olive tree growth and yields had improved markedly since the hens arrived.

The Independent
Food Oil Food Waste Italian Grove Olive Olive Oil Olive Groves Hens Netien

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