Birds and the Bees

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Comment by Greenearthqueen on April 19, 2009 at 9:19am

Just had this emailed to me and thought others on this site might like to respond.

--- On Fri, 17/4/09, Compassion in World Farming News wrote:

From: Compassion in World Farming News
Subject: UK Government Turns Its Back On Chickens - Urgent Action Needed
To: "kysami@btinternet.com"
Date: Friday, 17 April, 2009, 5:08 PM


Cannot read this email, click here
Take action against live animal exports


Dear Wendy,

We need to act now to urge the UK Government not to lower chicken welfare standards. Despite soaring sales of higher welfare chicken and major shifts in retailer policies, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is planning to lower UK standards and effectively give the green light to further intensification of chicken farming.
To bring the UK into line with the EU law that will come into force in 2010, Defra is planning to abandon its previous recommended maximum density of 34kg/m2 (15-17 chickens per square metre), which is already higher than welfare science recommends, and increase the maximum permitted density to 39kg/m2 (18-19 chickens per square metre) or even 42kg/m2 (19-21 chickens per square metre) - this is far too high and represents severe overcrowding.
Peter Stevenson, Chief Policy Advisor at Compassion in World Farming, comments: "This is a huge step backwards for chicken welfare.
"We were immensely disappointed with the EU law when it was first agreed in 2007, but now the UK is planning to lower its standards to come into line with the EU, giving a green light to the continuation of intensive poultry production. Cramming 19 or more chickens into a square metre is simply unacceptable."
"Many major retailers are committing to improving chicken welfare as a result of pressure from consumers and campaigns by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. We have also seen over 160 UK MPs supporting a Parliamentary motion calling for improved chicken standards. So why is the Government so out of touch with public opinion?"
TAKE ACTION
We need your urgent support to convince the UK Government not to lower chicken welfare standards.
Defra has set a deadline of 20 April to submit comments on the proposed law. Time is running out- please take part in our action today to show the UK Government how strongly you feel about this issue:

Email Local Media & Defra Now

Thank you for your support!

Compassion in World Farming is the leading international farm animal welfare organisation actively campaigning to improve the lives of farmed animals all around the world. Over the past 40 years, we have achieved real change to improve the welfare of farm animals throughout the world, but there is still so much more to do.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Chicken Out! campaign is demanding higher welfare conditions for chickens farmed in the UK, and fairer conditions for the farmers who rear them. We have worked hard to push Hugh's campaign forward and will continue to do so until we believe that real progress has been made. Please sign up at www.chickenout.tv if you haven't done so already.
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Comment by Paul Wyman on April 14, 2009 at 9:51am

Plan Bee from the Co-op. http://www.co-operative.coop/ethicsinaction/takeaction/planbee/what-The-Co-operative-is-doing-for-bees/

Comment by Paul Wyman on March 23, 2009 at 2:45pm

Fantastic! Our last surviving chick has grown up into a beautiful cockerel, while he still seems a little young to pester the old hens he has developed a wonderful voice which I thought was going to cause a problem with the neigbours, but instead, our neigbours have just picked up a trio of Pekin Bantums. So that should add to the dawn corus in our neck of the woods.
I have just been reading an article in the Home Famer magazine, all about ex-Battery hens. Here are the links for anyone who might be interested in re-homing some hens. Tel:01362 822904 or www.bhwt.org.uk

Comment by Greenearthqueen on March 23, 2009 at 10:51am

Picked up 6 ex-batts on Saturday and couldn't believe just how individual they all are. Each girl has a very different character and appearance. All are 'threadbare' but beautiful. Had 3 eggs on Sunday!

Comment by SueH on January 13, 2009 at 9:54am

I'm so happy today. Since we got our 4 girls in mid October and waiting and waiting, we had resigned ourselves to waiting until Spring for our first eggs and just enjoying our funny little friends until then but this morning there were 2 lovely eggs in the nestbox. So here's to the start of some lovely eggy breakfasts. Is everyone so excited about their first egg or is it just me?

Comment by Greenearthqueen on January 12, 2009 at 12:30pm

Have ordered housing and will get ex battery hens in March. I'm so excited - I've been meaning to do this for years and have finally got round to doing something about it.

Comment by Wingy on January 9, 2009 at 3:19am

Ooo... you posted that on my birthday! :)

I hope you get some bees, Alan. That's something I've been longing to get into for a looooooonng time, but so far hubby is resisting. One day...

Comment by alanb on November 25, 2008 at 9:28pm

hi ther we have got birds too Beware Its Addictive!!1 started with 4 and now have 120+ 7 years later
we have reared 200 this year and cant keep pace with all that are after layer or bantams . i am working on getting a loan of some bees next year from an old guy who wants to retire but he's reluctant to let hem go
regards alanb