Jumpers for chooks

^^^I didn't think little hen rescue was still going. I thought it closed due to the amount of break ins a year or so a go They were fantastic though, it is where my ex-batts came from

Edit: Warning - it is a horrible article to read as it just illustrates the scum of our society. http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/vi...risk_1_3729524

I understand that what I am about to say will not be popular but needs saying.

The battery system for poultry has had a difficult and sometimes unfair press. We kept up to 20,000 free range rhode island reds for breeding purposes. But as the breeding side became unprofitable due to imported white egg laying birds we also had a unit of battery cages. The problem with cages is that due to the huge capital cost many farmers always tried to squeeze too many birds into one cage to reduce the cost per bird. Bad/cruel farmers did not check the birds every day and some times hardly ever. As my father was truly dedicated to animal welfare our birds were very well cared for. The caged birds were very happy as evidenced by the laying figures, reduced mortality and our own ability at knowing what a happy hen is. We kept two birds per cage wheras some people would keep five in the same space.
The free range birds were at the mercy of the weather and it was not a pleasant sight to see them soaking wet in a sea of cold mud and chicken manure during bad weather. As workers on the farm we couldnt wait to get into the battery units when the weather was bad, warm,ventilated and generaly a better place to be.
That is why they were called "controlled environment".
So it is not the system so much as the care and husbandry provided by the farmer that is so important. Farmers are human beings and there is a huge difference in how some regard animal welfare, it seems to me the system has been blamed rather than the bad operators. I personaly dislike the deep litter system more where thousands of birds are kept in a huge shed with sometimes less room per bird than in cages, cannablism is rife and so near darkness is required to stop pecking a lack of fresh litter cause disease.

I agree Bill that some people put money before welfare and I do think that awareness of the plight of badly kept poulrty has helped to change some methods - unfortunately not always for the better.

I have no experience of working at or visiting an intensive farm and have just seen, like most others, the images available on the interweb and in the press etc.

All I know is that I can give Gert, Maud and Elsie a slightly better and more natural life than the one they were having. It's not perfect just a bit better.

As said, it tends to be how people treat them. Although not chook related I always thought dog racing was a bit mean and pointless. However, when we got our boy he would turn into a doggy compass when he was within 30mins drive of the track and would get so excited. I was so pleased he got both worlds. His racing days and his retired, spoilt rotten days

However, there are people that do not look after racers well

Of course I applaud people for giving poultry a better life or any animal for that matter. These old battery hens , if not rescued will just end up in pies etc. They are most likely only 18 months old and could go on to provide eggs for several more years given the chance.

Just a warning for anyone who's er... less than practical on the knitting or sewing front (like me!). I had a bald hen - moulting, not ex batt. I don't really knit so decided to sew her a coat. I cut out a piece of fleecy material and tried to follow a pattern off the internet. Looked a bit lopsided when finished but hey, it wasn't for a fashion parade. Put it on the bird - she waddled off and fell over. At which point all the others jumped on her and started attacking her at the same time. Think they would have killed her if I hadn't rescued her and removed the coat... Now I know it was boring grey and a bit smelly (old dog blanket), and not very well made, but I was surprised at the aggression they showed - they're normally fairly well behaved. So if you make something, make sure it fits properly and the bird's legs won't get tangled in it and trip her up...

Chickens are like teenagers - very fashion conscious and they have to wear the right label or they get picked on - favourite brands this season are French Conn-egg-shun and New Chook