Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[BDutch]

I

I don't know. Maybe given enough space it's not as much of a problem.

@fuzzi
In factory farming the owners strap the sows to a frame. That way she can’t move much and won’t crush her piglets.

 

[Shadrach]

Two hours today. Dry and chilly. They did come out with a bit of encouragement but didn't do much in the way of foraging.
No transport on Boxing Day. J is going to do the chickens for me.

Tastes great, but didn't rise properly. I think I over-mixed it.
Still got puff pastry mince pies to cook and a nut roast.

 

[Perris]

an unexpected early Christmas present here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0kdmkkz3jno

I am delighted but befuddled by all this. I only found out recently who Martha Stewart is, via one of the cooking threads here Anyway, if it's good for Swansea, it's good. This town, like many all over the world, needs all the help it can get.

 

[Perris]

I

@fuzzi
In factory farming the owners strap the sows to a frame. That way she can’t move much and won’t crush her piglets.

FYI, this from the DEFRA website with the Govt strategy on this, and some facts and figures and references. Note para 2 sentence 1 of the excerpt: apparently the piglet loss rate for the unconfined sows is about the same as that for sows stuck in farrowing crates (though that is not stated here).

"For pigs, a significant number of sows are confined in farrowing crates from around 5 days before they are due to give birth, until the piglets are weaned at approximately 28 days of age. A farrowing crate, which is designed to protect piglets from being crushed by the sow, restricts the sow’s movement, preventing her from turning around and performing natural behaviours, such as nest building. Approximately 92% of indoor production systems still use farrowing crates [18].

There is already a significant outdoor pig sector with 50% [19] of the national sow breeding herd giving birth freely on outdoor units with no option for confinement. Currently around 8% [20] of indoor production has already moved to alternative farrowing systems to improve sow welfare, protect piglet welfare and ensure human safety. We want to work with the sector to move all sows out of farrowing crates over a sustainable transition period. Removing the use of intensive confinement systems is an essential component of the government’s plan to ensure all farmed animals have a life worth living, and that as many animals as possible have a good life. Ending the use of cages and crates is therefore a key priority for this government.

17 UK Egg Industry Data (2024). Available at: UK Egg Industry Data | Official Egg Info.
18 8% of the indoor sow herd are in flexible farrowing systems. Source: NPA Position Paper – Flexible Farrowing systems (2024). Available at: NPA Briefing
19 “How are breeding sows kept in the UK?” (2025). Available at: FAQs - National Pig Association.
20 NPA Position Paper – Flexible Farrowing systems (2024). Available at: NPA Briefing. "

The paper is here, with working links to references
https://assets.publishing.service.g...P_1474_Animal_Welfare_Strategy_Accessible.pdf

 

[RoyalChick]

an unexpected early Christmas present here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0kdmkkz3jno

I am delighted but befuddled by all this. I only found out recently who Martha Stewart is, via one of the cooking threads here Anyway, if it's good for Swansea, it's good. This town, like many all over the world, needs all the help it can get.

Funny.
Martha Stewart is quite a fascinating character. Definitely not particularly likeable, but I am forced to admire a lot of her achievements.
I haven’t watched this documentary yet but it comes highly recommended from a couple of friends so I will maybe find time to watch in the next few weeks.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/20...mentary-review-netflix?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Edited to add: and her cast iron enameled Dutch Oven pots are truly exceptionally well designed. No idea if she still sells them. I have two that I got used on eBay and use them constantly.

 

[Molpet]

Farrowing crates are mostly still used here for commercial farms.
Smaller pigs have a better chance of not smothering or squashing the piglets. Commercial hogs are huge.

 

[L-plate chicken mum]

I don't know. Maybe given enough space it's not as much of a problem.

I think it’s about understanding sow behaviour when giving birth, things like nest site design and having it sited somewhere they feel safe. Like many animals they like to be away from the main group to have their litters. Not an expert by any means, have friends who farmed so picked up bits and pieces

 

[Mother of Chaos]

an unexpected early Christmas present here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0kdmkkz3jno

I am delighted but befuddled by all this. I only found out recently who Martha Stewart is, via one of the cooking threads here Anyway, if it's good for Swansea, it's good. This town, like many all over the world, needs all the help it can get.

Haha, good for her! I’ve always been charmed that she and Snoop are buds.

She was sort of a pre-runner to TikTok influencers, presenting perfectly groomed images of effortless over-the-top lifestyle tips that of course you can also do; just get off your lazy butt and build and plant that potager, and you can harvest your crops by teatime.

I knew women who followed her moves like cobras following the snake-charmer’s flute, convinced that they were failures because their lives didn’t look like hers. When I came across her on TV, I just cracked a beer and enjoyed the ride.

She (aka, her employees) built the famous Palais des Poulets (chicken palace) that I am convinced haunts every anxious over-the-top chicken coop builder here on BYC. I just wasted 20 minutes trying to find the video of the show in which she introduced it. Great enjoyment if you can find it.

 

[RoyalChick]

Haha, good for her! I’ve always been charmed that she and Snoop are buds.

She was sort of a pre-runner to TikTok influencers, presenting perfectly groomed images of effortless over-the-top lifestyle tips that of course you can also do; just get off your lazy butt and build and plant that potager, and you can harvest your crops by teatime.

I knew women who followed her moves like cobras following the snake-charmer’s flute, convinced that they were failures because their lives didn’t look like hers. When I came across her on TV, I just cracked a beer and enjoyed the ride.

She (aka, her employees) built the famous Palais des Poulets (chicken palace) that I am convinced haunts every anxious over-the-top chicken coop builder here on BYC. I just wasted 20 minutes trying to find the video of the show in which she introduced it. Great enjoyment if you can find it.

I gather the documentary I linked explains how she became close with Snoop Dogg.

 

[Molpet]