MJ's little flock

[Shadrach]

Nolia. She's not laying in the tribes coop. I think she's planning to sit on this lot.

 

[MaryJanet]

I think there is a need in most countries. Pasture raising in the UK seems to be growing but when it comes to heritage breeds and enthusiasts the economic and social pressure just ins't there. Some of the pasture raised keeping arrangements are far ahead of the average back yard keeper.

Without data motivating the intervention, no one will consider using the teaching materials.

 

[LozzyR]

When I spoke of transferrable knowledge, I was speaking of practices that the egg industry and the breeders have in common.

As far as I know, breeders don't shred chicks. Those breeding chickens that are not auto sexing definitely are not shredding chicks.

Wrt the egg industry in Australia, any solution I can think of will take a very long time. Some people continue to purchase eggs laid by hens in cages. Ethical shoppers at least buy free range.

Also we know there are animal care standards in place in Australia, even for slaughter. We've got some excellent non-negotiable rules for peolle producing food, with heavy fines. Eg, no chicken meat products for sale in Australia were fed growth hormones and we know this because random samples are tested. A lot of the excellent practice in our food production is unknown to ordinary people, but it can be learned.

That’s good to know about breeders and also the care standards. When the technology for sexing eggs is sound, hopefully it will be adopted and shredding will cease. I don’t think people will ever stop buying cage eggs (at least, not in Western, individualistic countries) and at this point, unfortunately, free-range male chicks are also shredded (the companies whose eggs you buy in the big shops, not smaller-scale free-range businesses).

 

[Ribh]

To be honest, Shad the first step is checking there really is a need in Australia.

I'll put a survey out to discover how old people's oldest hen is. It's entirely possible that people supplying the backyard market are already breeding birds that can live a long time.

If that's not the case, then there's scope for further action.

Part of the issue is simply going to be cost & where people are socio~economically. When free range eggs are nearly double the cost of factory eggs & organic whole foods are considerably more expensive than home brands, those with the least to spend are going to go with the cheapest option. I could be wrong but I would've thought free range birds would be cheaper to run & just don't get why free range eggs are so expensive.

 

[MaryJanet]

Part of the issue is simply going to be cost & where people are socio~economically. When free range eggs are nearly double the cost of factory eggs & organic whole foods are considerably more expensive than home brands, those with the least to spend are going to go with the cheapest option. I could be wrong but I would've thought free range birds would be cheaper to run & just don't get why free range eggs are so expensive.

I'm pretty sure prices align to what customers can tolerate, over and above recouping cost of goods sold.

 

[MaryJanet]

Seems all the Aussie chooks had trouble roosting tonight. @Ribh had trouble, @LozzyR R had to chivvy them along, and I had to intervene when Mary strangely decided to go all peckasaurus rex on Sandy, which was very out of character. I can't tolerate Sandy being pecked, she's had a hard life already. So I put Mary on a different roost and as I did so, her wings got free and her flapping surprised Janet so much, she fell off her spot. So then I helped Janet back up. By that time it was nearly dark, so I spoke gently for five minutes until everyone's knees bent and their eyes closed. Then I crept out and came inside to discover all the Aussie chooks had gone bonkers.

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[Ribh]

Seems all the Aussie chooks had trouble roosting tonight. @Ribh had trouble, @LozzyR R had to chivvy them along, and I had to intervene when Mary strangely decided to go all peckasaurus rex on Sandy, which was very out of character. I can't tolerate Sandy being pecked, she's had a hard life already. So I put Mary on a different roost and as I did so, her wings got free and her flapping surprised Janet so much, she fell off her spot. So then I helped Janet back up. By that time it was nearly dark, so I spoke gently for five minutes until everyone's knees bent and their eyes closed. Then I crept out and came inside to discover all the Aussie chooks had gone bonkers.

There's a super moon happening. The Luna~cy has got to them all!

 

[MaryJanet]

Good evening folks

Hi there how's it going?

 

[Grammy60]

Good evening everyone
Hello MJ, how are you doing ?