Watched over by protective Maremma dogs and enjoying a fox-free environment, Tom and Fiona Fryar’s Kangaroo Island chickens are truly free-range.

Story By Kirsty McKenzie

It may be a long way from fighting off wolves and bears in the Italian hills to guarding chooks on South Australia's Kangaroo Island (KI), but the value of using Maremma dogs to watch over their free-range laying hens is readily apparent on the Kingscote farm of Tom and Fiona Fryar. The proof is on the plate. It’s the eye-squinting yellow of the yolks that signals to Kangaroo Island visitors that there’s something special about the island’s eggs. Then that colour is matched by an intensity of flavour only imaginable to those who enjoy the privilege of having their own chookyard. Clearly, the Fryars’ eggs are the product of a benchmark chicken farm.

This story excerpt is from Issue #47

Outback Magazine: June/July 2006