interview with barnaby millstone

Barnaby Millstone is an unassuming figure. When I first met him, he was strolling around the farm yard looking like a portly chicken wearing black overhauls. The truth is that Barnaby is the key to success in the hen house. We asked Barnaby about his reputation as a rising star in the egg laying industry.

Mr. Millstone, how long have you been working on the farm?

I was transferred to Carriage Hill in 2008, so it has been three years now. Prior to that, I was the night supervisor over at Epson Hills farm.

That was quite a change, were you intimidated by the move?

Not really, I have been working towards the responsibility my entire career & the move was the natural next step. I was actually excited to join such a well respected organization. The hens here are well known around the farm circuit and I wanted to work with the best.

How have you been able to impact such a well running egg producing machine?

By listening to the hens. They are in the trenches every day & can see what needs to be done to take us to the next level. I put an incentive program in place that rewards the girls with extra cracked corn for every bonafide suggestion they make. Take a look at Gladys over there. She thought that adding a little more hay to each nest would lessen the chance of egg breakage. And she was right. In addition, the nests became more comfortable and the hens are happier. Morale is important. The result? More eggs and more corn for Gladys.

So teamwork is the key to success?

Absolutely! Each of us play a role on the road to success. My job is to guide and facilitate. The ladies in the hen house are the ones that actually produce. Without them, I am just a pretty rooster in a feather suit. When they are successful, we all succeed. That means more corn for Banaby Millstone… and Mama Millstone likes that!

On that note, we ended our conversation. Barnaby was called to the hen house to celebrate the fourth anniversary of one of his best hens. More corn for Edna!