Battery Hens.

[Tim]

Today, for the first time, I actually saw a Battey Hens' cage on the Battery Hen Welfare Trust's stand at The National.. When I commented that there was not a lot of room in there for a hen (what else could I say??) I was told "no, there are 4 hens in here"....

I've seen the pictures but this was really awful. Worse than I imagined.



I know everyone is aware of the battery hen's plight and I know it's nearly Christmas - but if you could find only £2, it would help us to get closer to our target for the Battery Hen Welfare Trust.

We are hoping to raise £250 for them. We have £80 so far.... and I only have until 5th January to do it. I always said to Jane Howath, the founder of the BHWT that I would dress up as a chicken and run through Oxford Street on a Saturday if we reached the target (it's ambitious I know!) so stop donating when it reaches £249.99 please!

Here is the fundraising page Poultrykeeper's Battery Hen Welfare Trust Fundraising page

Thank you so much.

Tim.

 

[Anonymous]

Being a recent hen owner, I've just discovered this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7180018.stm
I'm sure everyone is already aware of it. Still good to hear though!

When I decided I wanted some hens, my plan was always to rescue some ex batts. Partly because they're cheap ( I'm not particularly well off) but mostly just to see some have a happy life. I'm not bothered how many eggs they lay as long they're happy.
I knew they lived in a cramped space but didn't realise it was 4 hens to a cage that size.

I've got 5 hens and 2 bantams now but still want some ex batts in the spring. I was originally after around 6, my friend wants another 4 to go with the 4 he has, and my friend who gave me his hens wants around 6 in the spring when he makes his field dog proof.
I've since decided that I now want more like 8 - 10, my friend is getting at least 6 and my other friend is getting at least 8. (Whether they like it or not!)
I'd get more if I could but don't want them to become overcrowded. It would never be anything even remotely like how they live in the battery farms. I've got roughly 100sq yards for them to roam around on but I think 15 hens and 2 bantams should be okay there.

Osric

 

[Anonymous]

The space they endure is horrific,can't turn round or move properly .
Getting a few ex-batts is well worth it Osric,I wouldn't be with out my girls .

 

[podstable]

---I dont have any Ex -batts myself. I have been involved on a few of the rescue days , hard work,upsetting and very dirty!! I have on a couple of occassions been so upset by what they endure during the process of re homing that I wonder if this is the right solution for them. Having said that-as soon as they are uncrated they amaze me by finding their feet , eating and drinking and dust bathing! It is such a 'fowl' job that I think volunteers who will stick the whole day out are hard to find -maybe some of you could offer a day when needed to BHWT or similar groups??? Ros

 

[Lucylou]

OMG, Tim, that is terrible. I knew their living conditions were bad but I had no idea it was this bad.

I know someone who bought some ex- so called 'free range' hens from a farm that supplies Columbian Blacktail eggs to a very well known supermarket. They sell them off at 1 year old. Even though they are supposedly free range, there are so many chooks crammed into the barns only a handful ever go outside. They were going to have 6, came home with 20, there was hardly a feather between them.

 

[victorias poultry]

Come on everyone, dig deep into your our pockets, where is your Christmas Spirit???????
Ex Batts are lovely, friendly girls, if you have the space is well worth giving a few a home. I have 50 of them running around, and hope they will have a happy time here for the rest of their lives.

 

[Anonymous]

I have 50 of them running around, and hope they will have a happy time here for the rest of their lives.

Any hen would be happy running round at yours .The ex-batts think it's hen heaven.

 

[Anne W]

I had 5 ex- batts and although it was traumatic for them being bundled into cages again, enduring a long journey home ( our nearest was about 2 hours away) and wondering where the hell they were for a while - it was wonderful to see them running around, scratching for the first time . Sadly, they had all died within about 14 months but it was longer than they were destined to have and at least it may not have been quantitity but it was quality of life. Bless them.

 

[Anonymous]

It is a shame that some don't seem to live long after being re-homed.One of my four only lived with me for about six weeks,but,in the short time they more than give plenty of eggs to make up for a donation to the BHWT for getting them.
They do certainly enjoy their freedom,and make the most of it,even if only for a short while.

 

[Anonymous]

It is such a 'fowl' job that I think volunteers who will stick the whole day out are hard to find -maybe some of you could offer a day when needed to BHWT or similar groups??? Ros

If there's a rescue day on in my area and I get enough notice, I'll be more than happy to give some time to help out. I don't think I've had a day where I haven't been covered in mud or sawdust for weeks now so getting dirty with something else is no big deal.

Weekends are better of course, I work during the week!

Osric

 

[Anonymous]

actually working to remove them from their battery cages and box them up is very hard work.Very sweaty as well,also,quite naturally the hens are distressed.You also have to cope with ones that have extremely overgrown claws,deformed beaks etc.
Often a chain gang method is used,where people are removing the hens and handing them to runner's who then take them out to be boxed in poultry crates.
It is mentally as well as physically tiring.

I do honestly believe that in 10 yrs or so time,due the 'desirable' qualities that are being bred into battery hens,they will not be able to cope with being re-homed.They've already been bred too much for egg production at a loss to other natural behaviours.

 

[Anne W]

Hopefully, Lydia, in ten years time there won't be any battery hens - please God!

 

[Anonymous]

I think everyone of the forum will have rescued them by then!

I've seen so many stories of people going to get 3 or 4 then coming home with 10. I'd get more if I could but I think I'd have to rent a field from a local farmer first!

Osric

 

[Anonymous]

Hopefully, Lydia, in ten years time there won't be any battery hens - please God!

I've been praying that for the last 31 yrs,hasn't happened yet so I'm not expecting it will happen in my life time.

 

[victorias poultry]

I have 50 of them running around, and hope they will have a happy time here for the rest of their lives.

Any hen would be happy running round at yours .The ex-batts think it's hen heaven.

Thanks Lydia
2nd chq in the post :lol: :lol: :lol:

You'll have to come and have a job at ours and become a tour guide!!!!

 

[Tim]

The thing is - whilst the UK consumer is becoming more aware of the poor old battery hen and making choices that are effecting the number of birds in cages, other countries are buying up the old cages from the UK and we are importing eggs back in...UK farmers can't compete when using higher welfare systems.

Can you believe there is alubumen (egg white) dried and imported from the Far East to use in British made products such as cakes.... China for example has nearly a Billion laying hens, most of which are in cages. India is another big producer. Legally it cannot be stopped so it's down to consumer power again..

Until the government enforce better food labeling to let you know where your 'ingredients' are coming from (like the British Lion Code stamped onto eggs) it's hard to make informed choices.

Rant over...