Legislation to improve lives of egg laying hens

[runsw/scissors]

I too have a chronic health problem, (which is part of why I live so close to utter disaster) please don't get me started on those meds cost! It's utterly horrendous... Even with Medicare it's awful...

 

[rufus]

There was an article in the newspaper yesterday about this. I suspect it will double the price of eggs.

When people cannot afford meat, eggs are a great source of protein. Or at least they were.

Eventually, they will have us eating soylent green.

Rufus

 

[chickened]

And Metamucil

There was an article in the newspaper yesterday about this. I suspect it will double the price of eggs.

When people cannot afford meat, eggs are a great source of protein. Or at least they were.

Eventually, they will have us eating soylent green.

Rufus

 

[newfoundland]

Eggs are a wonderful source of protein and iron. They are versatile, much more so than meat and do not require the lengthy cooking that cheaper cuts of meat need. It is more economical in every sense to raise fowl, for both eggs and meat than cattle, and is more carbon friendly. I'm sure that is why chickens are reared in every little community from the richest to the poorest.

 

[Earthologie]

I just learned about this issue today.

Some people were concerned that this bill will create troubles on the backyard chicken owner.

It is my understanding that this is an industry wide bill that would not affect backyard chicken owners if we are not mass producing eggs to sell at market.

Can anyone tell me if I am correct? I am having computer troubles and am having a hard time locating the information I need.

I understand that stoptherotteneggbill.org is based off of an agriculture farm animal welfare group.

Some people were concerned that if this bill *doesn't* pass, then organizations such as this will keep fighting until no one, not even back yard chicken owners, can keep their chickens in cages.... ever... because they will keep pushing ballots saying that chickens can't be kept in cages and eventually this will apply to backyard chicken owners.

People were worried that a "chicken run" might be applied as a cage. People like to have runs for their chickens to keep them safe.

Again, I am under the impression that this is erroneous thinking as it seems to only tap into the industry aspect of raising hens for egg production.

I personally signed the petition at stoptherotteneggbill.org. I think 124 square inches per chicken is not enough. Add to that, if the bill passes, the industry wins and we can never say or do anything to further improve the hens lives EVER.

I think this is a very important subject and I really do not want to see this thread die out, regardless of the opposing sides view point..

 

[newfoundland]

I the know something of the fight for the change in legislation to improve the lives of battery hens, but here in the UK. I think you will find that the legislation applies to so called 'factory farms' who keep laying hens in very small cages and massive quantities.

A run can not be classed as a cage since it allows the hen to exhibit normal chicken behaviours, such as scratching etc. In any case it is much larger than the cages used in battery houses. This is essentially an animal welfare act designed to improve the quality of life of the battery hen.

Here in the UK, we are further along the road and since the begiinning of the year, methods of keeping hens on factory farms, have had to change. Most eggs sold in UK are 'free range', barn laid, or perchery hens eggs. In each case the hen has freedom to move around and in the case of perchery and barn laid, access to outside runs. Free range, is of course exactly that.

The reformation of the laws in this country have had massive public support. Publicity in the newspapers and on television has blown away a cruel and contemptable business practice and happily, hen welfare trusts around the country have no difficulty in rehoming spent battery hens to new backyard chicken keepers. I have 2 ex battery hens myself and they are great girls. Still laying and fighting fit. We have a waiting list for rehomers around the country now.