A unique opportunity to take over a free-range egg producing business close to a major population base in the east of the country has just presented itself on the market. Hazelbeech Farm, Ballymakenny, Drogheda, Co Louth is listed with Fee & Associates Auctioneers, and consists of 34ac along with accommodation for 10,000 laying hens.

There are also egg packers and associated production machinery along with a number of vending machines.

In addition, there is accommodation in the form of two modern poultry houses which are capable of housing 5,000 birds each. Both are presented in excellent condition. Centrally located on the property, they’re 200m apart and accessed from the road via a gravel laneway which also connects the two houses.

There is a second access point in the form of a right of way off the Ballymakenny Road, and the farm has 350m of road frontage.

The land has 350m of road frontage and two access points, one of which is a right of way.

Poultry facilities

Both houses have a 10tn meal bin each and they are surrounded by paddocks for hens. Securely fenced throughout, each paddock consists of top-quality permanent pasture. One of the houses has solar panels installed and there are ventilation systems in each house along with nest boxes, a chain feeding system and nipple drinkers. Water is provided via a deep-well supply.

This is a farm to fork operation and there are egg-packing facilities included in the sale as well as five vending machines allowing direct interaction with customers. Two of these are located on the farm, with the other three situated in Drogheda and Dunleer.

Also included in the sale are an egg packing machine and five egg vending machines.

Properties like this are extremely rare and the location of this one is a major asset. It’s less than 10 minutes’ drive from Drogheda, one of the largest centres of population in the country, and it’s only 5km from access to the M1 motorway. Dunleer and Clogherhead are 10km away. Another population hotspot, Dundalk, is 30km from this farm heading north while Dublin is 40km away.

Private treaty

For sale by private treaty, this non-residential holding is being sold as a going concern as the owners are retiring. Auctioneer, Raymond Fee is guiding this property in the region of €1.2m. Noting that there were no BISS entitlements included, he reported good interest so far.

“It’s a unique opportunity with a ready-to-go package in a serious location as Drogheda has a huge population and it’s close by.”