Chantry teenagers launch successful poultry business from Bourne Garden Centre, near Bourne Bridge, Ipswich.
Teenage friends Corin Martell and Jake Parry have chosen an unusual choice for their fledgling business.
Despite being `Townies’ who met at Chantry High School, they preferred the outdoor life - agriculture and horticulture.
Now their Suffolk Poultry and Pet Supplies is taking off at Bourne Garden Centre, Wherstead Road.
Claire Mucklestone who has been running Bourne Garden Centre for coming up to 20 years, said: “I didn’t know what to expect when two teenagers came up to me and asked to raise chickens on the spare land at the back of the garden centre.
“But I have been impressed by the commitment and hard work.
“It has been good for business here too at the garden centre, it brings people in”
The friends started out by raising a few chicken in their back gardens before reaching an agreement to move to the centre.
Corin, who is now 18, said: “I am not really a school person. I grew up next to a farm and wanted to work in agriculture. I left school as soon as I could.”
While Jake,15, has another year of schooling, but works here in the holidays and at weekends.
“It is seven days a week,” explained Corin, “but we enjoy it.”
“We had four Leghorns and a couple of hybrids,” explained Jake.
Now they breed a variety of chicken for sale as layers, and they keep chicken and duck and also sell the free range eggs.
Varieties include Pekin bantams, Light Sussex, Blackrocks, Bluebells and Brahamas.
And from supplying chicken feed and equipment, that side of the business had grown to include pet food, horse food and supplies, including bedding.
The free range eggs are popular too with visitors to the garden centre.
“We have done a lot of research and gained knowledge,” explained Corin.
Garden centre owner Claire Mucklestone had also been a mentor to them,he added.
“Claire has been in business a long time and she is always happy to give us advice.”
Suffolk Poultry and Pet Supplies, Bourne Garden Centre, 578 Wherstead Road, Ipswich
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