I live near a chicken farm and the other day some got out. The poor hens looked in a sorry state, half the feathers missing, scabs and blood over the skin etc.
Surely this isn't right? I've had a google to see if I can report the farm or at least get an inspector to visit and check them out but I can't find anything. Can anything be done?
Thanks
You should contact your local RSPCA office - they will send out an inspector.
Sadly, intensively farmed hens are often in a deplorable state. With no access to natural light (unless they escape!) their feathers fall out, and close proximity to other hens means that they will incur injuries. Following recent farming re-regulation, 'battery' farms have been eliminated, and replaced as 'caged' farming. More space (which is a joke) but still cages stacked on top of each other, often containing 6 or more hens, who supposedly have room to move around.
I recently collected 6 'caged' hens who had been rescued. Two of them were in fairly good condition, the other 4 are still featherless in places, but new feathers are starting to appear.
Call the RSPCA!
Hi Caveman
Yes, a sad sight when the poor hens are so distressed. May I offer an explanation?
Farmed hens normally live in an enclosed environment, which is fine most of the time, but when the weather gets too hot (like it has been recently) they have little means of keeping cool. Their only means of reducing their body temperature is to remove some of their covering - their feathers - by plucking them out, so more moisture can evaporate to cool them down. Sadly this makes them look in a terrible state, as if they have been abused in some way. The solution, for the owner of the hen houses, is to ventilate better - fans blowing, or opening the doors. Opening doors can let them escape.
We have pigs in large sheds - they wallow to keep cool when they need to and the sheds are well ventilated. In winter when it is cold they snuggle up together and cover themselves with the ample straw bedding. They are checked at least twice a day.
If you feel the need to do something, have a word with the farmer first. He may offer the same explanation - but if you get no joy, then the RSPCA.
Farmers are subjected to some 22,000 regulations to adhere to, but regualtions cannot control the weather!
Thanks folks, I have contacted the rspca so let's see what they think
You could also approach the British Hen Welfare Trust.
<a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://www.bhwt.org.uk "> http://www.bhwt.org.uk
They will be able to offer advice to you.
That is 'normal' for battery hen farming...
[url]Animal Aid[/url]
Absolutely shocking
That's why I always buy local free-range eggs.
I've got 6 rescue hens and a rescued rooster - called Mr Ooba Looba - hopefully his portrait is here:-
He looks incredible! The name suits him so well 😀