Free Range eggs

[Cecile]

I do however, now work on the fringes of the industry. I see as many (not better/worse-just different) welfare concerns in backyard flocks as I do the commercial ones tbh.

I can well believe that, sometimes I go into people's gardens with chickens and am somewhat taken aback with how they are being kept, green water and food all over the shop, I usually end up with a hose or looking for a jet wash.
Not everyone obviously some are kept in an immaculate way

 

[Cecile]

I think of all users MoC is one of the least likely to laugh at the concept of hens having feelings or naming them, given her username and all .

Cecile is that for those eggs being produced from high risk areas that have therefore gone over the 12 week permitted housing time for free range or were others using it before that? I haven't spotted any round here so I am wondering if it is location dependent.

Not in a high risk area, Berks/Hants border, these signs are just about everywhere around here but not sure why, I just assumed it was throughout the country

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I do however, now work on the fringes of the industry. I see as many (not better/worse-just different) welfare concerns in backyard flocks as I do the commercial ones tbh.

I can well believe that, sometimes I go into people's gardens with chickens and am somewhat taken aback with how they are being kept, green water and food all over the shop, I usually end up with a hose or looking for a jet wash.
Not everyone obviously some are kept in an immaculate way

not just that-some just seem to periodically stock up to supply the local fox; so many won't pay for vet treatment but won't cull; out of control red mite infestations/lack of other parasite control; dumping of unwanted cockerels; the fact that many aren't fed for way too long over night in the winter. but hey, as long as they have a bit more space the other freedoms don't matter right? of course not all do this but backyard keeping of chickens and ducks often falls short of what it should be. (not aimed at anyone in particular-no need for anyone to get defensive).

 

[Clodagh]

not just that-some just seem to periodically stock up to supply the local fox; so many won't pay for vet treatment but won't cull; out of control red mite infestations/lack of other parasite control; dumping of unwanted cockerels; the fact that many aren't fed for way too long over night in the winter. but hey, as long as they have a bit more space the other freedoms don't matter right? of course not all do this but backyard keeping of chickens and ducks often falls short of what it should be. (not aimed at anyone in particular-no need for anyone to get defensive).

I couldn't agree with you more, I mean how hard is it to look after a chook properly? And the no vet policy 'But I can't cull it either, because I love it, so I will put it in a box and slowly let it rot and starve, that is kinder (read cheaper)' attitude.

 

[ester]

I know very few friends with chook but still come across it's sick, I'm not taking it to the vet and I can't neck it either I am hoping she just dies quietly. . .
I was WTF :eek3: would you do that with any of your other animals?!

 

[Clodagh]

I know very few friends with chook but still come across it's sick, I'm not taking it to the vet and I can't neck it either I am hoping she just dies quietly. . .
I was WTF :eek3: would you do that with any of your other animals?!

Imagnie doing it to a dog, you would be prosecuted PDQ

 

[TheresaW]

I get my eggs from one of the ladies who keeps her horses along from me. She has chooks at home, and the eggs are lovely. We were talking the other day just generally, amd I said, can they still be classed as free range at the moment?

I have also visited Clodagh many times and seen her chooks. Was even there when she had to neck a cockerel. I didn't watch, but OH did, and then we took him home and gave him to our ferrets!

 

[hopscotch bandit]

I know very few friends with chook but still come across it's sick, I'm not taking it to the vet and I can't neck it either I am hoping she just dies quietly. . .
I was WTF :eek3: would you do that with any of your other animals?!

That's terrible.we were lucky enough to have an avarian vet in our community.we had one pts this way - under no illusions its not the easiest way to kill a hen so it was taken away so we didn't see it happen and another necked by someone who knew what they were doing.ours were treated with flubenvet and red mite powder as was there coop and this was cleaned EVERYDAY without fail and the run was swept every week with the feeders washed out.we were anal about it in fact. we used to walk the birds down to the wood with a spade and dig holes for them in the dirt mounds looking for worms there enthusiasm knew no bounds -trying to get them back up again to their section of the field afterwards was a nightmare ha ha.I understand some are not kept this way and once the initial enthusiasm of chicken keeping has died down the birds welfare falls short but its not fair or logical to tar everyone with the same brush.giving a life to something that would not of otherwise had one is better than not doing anything at all and people should in my opinon be encouraged to do so.I suspect people who say otherwise on this post are not reflecting there true opinions instead are weirdly wanting to see a person rise.

 

[Cortez]

I know very few friends with chook but still come across it's sick, I'm not taking it to the vet and I can't neck it either I am hoping she just dies quietly. . .
I was WTF :eek3: would you do that with any of your other animals?!

Crikey, that's AWFUL.....how could you do that? We chop their heads off when doing The Deed, not being confidant enough to do a clean job by pulling the neck, but it would be totally unethical to just leave them suffering.

 

[Cecile]

That's terrible.we were lucky enough to have an avarian vet in our community.we had one pts this way - under no illusions its not the easiest way to kill a hen so it was taken away so we didn't see it happen and another necked by someone who knew what they were doing.ours were treated with flubenvet and red mite powder as was there coop and this was cleaned EVERYDAY without fail and the run was swept every week with the feeders washed out.we were anal about it in fact. we used to walk the birds down to the wood with a spade and dig holes for them in the dirt mounds looking for worms there enthusiasm knew no bounds -trying to get them back up again to their section of the field afterwards was a nightmare ha ha.I understand some are not kept this way and once the initial enthusiasm of chicken keeping has died down the birds welfare falls short but its not fair or logical to tar everyone with the same brush.giving a life to something that would not of otherwise had one is better than not doing anything at all and people should in my opinon be encouraged to do so.I suspect people who say otherwise on this post are not reflecting there true opinions instead are weirdly wanting to see a person rise.

You sound like a lovely owner of chickens, I'm not sure about wanting to see a person rise I just think everyone thinks differently and it would be a weird world if we all thought the same way
I have also spent time trying to put things right when I have sent a quick text to someone and unwittingly upset someone without any intention at all on my behalf
Try never to take answers on here personally as it may not be intended that way and if you really feel things may be aimed at you try to have the attitude like me *You are confusing me with someone who gives a s**t*

 

[Cecile]

Front page on South East Farmer March edition (Can be read on line)
Farm faces bleak future under bird flu clamp down
www.southeastfarmer.net

 

[hopscotch bandit]

Try never to take answers on here personally as it may not be intended that way and if you really feel things may be aimed at you try to have the attitude like me *You are confusing me with someone who gives a s**t*

Yes you are right thankyou