At Bjärefågel we usually say that quality starts with care. For Mats, who works as a livestock keeper and responsible for breeding at Bjärefågel, it’s more than just words – it’s an obvious part of every workday.
Care in every stall round
Mats is responsible for the chicken breeding and always starts his day with his rounds of the stables. Ensuring the chickens are well-fed is always a top priority. Recently, we have also made further improvements in the stables, including by providing the chickens with mineral blocks to nibble on for extra stimulation and well-being, as well as straw bedding that they love to bathe in. The chickens have already been using alfalfa bales to lie on and pull out their feathers since before.
– You get to know the chickens and see if they are doing well. If there is anything that doesn’t seem right, you check various parameters, such as fans, temperature, or other elements in the environment. Then you can quickly find the cause and fix the problem.
Sustainability in practice
The care for the animals also permeates Mats’s view of sustainability. For him, sustainability is about taking responsibility for the entire cycle – from recycling and resource efficiency to the collaboration with local farmers who handle the manure from the farms.
But above all, the work is about the animals.
– I don’t leave the stables until I know that the animals are doing well. Do the animals sleep well, do I sleep well? says Mats.
A work with values
For Mats, there is also a clear connection between animal welfare and quality. Being part of a local company with a strong focus on ethical animal husbandry was a conscious choice for him.
– I didn’t want to work at an animal factory. For me, it’s important to be in a place where the care of the animals is at the center.
When care becomes quality
– It shows that we take good care of our animals. That contributes to the good taste. Animals that are well cared for usually taste good, as we often say – and that is true.
For us, Mats’ commitment is a clear example of the people behind the quality. It is the care, knowledge, and responsibility in daily work that makes a difference – for the animals, for the environment, and for the taste of the plate.
