Unspeakable

[Suechooks]

My 4 new girls released yesterday. Words fail me.

[polo]

Oh Sue, that truly horrific. Can't wait to see them in a few months x

[Nicos]

Oh dear- that's really upset me.

They look so pale- and their eyes so dull
...and the lack of feathers- how on earth can that be acceptable??

I'm so glad you've rescued them xx

[minskey]

That is so upsetting, it is so unnecessery.

I noticed the pic was called 'barn hens', are they 'barn hens' as in not 'battery caged', if they are people relly need to know what they are buying. Barn hen eggs are always pushed as higher welfare that caged hens - that is just not true.

[FionaH]

Thats just horrible!

[Flummery]

The poor little ghostly faces and floppy pale combs always get me. People surely don't know - and surely should. Well done for giving them a life - they'll really repay you. Do let us see them in a few months time, won't you?

[Suechooks]

Yes Minskey - they are barn hens! There were 1000 released yesterday by BHWT. Their legs are so pale too and last night there was virtually no poo to pick up so I'm thinking they hadn't been fed for a couple of days either. I've just spent an hour with them making sure they know how to eat! They've got 3 different feeders now and they're running between them grabbing food from all three. They're in quite a small run but it's the only way I can keep them out of the wind and drizzle we're having today.
The pictures don't show how bad they are - scabs all over their bodies and really red skin around the vent area. It really is unspeakable.
I've been hauling my fellow allotmenteers in to show them what "barn hens" look like. Going to try and ut on my Facebook page too - but that may be a step too far for my technical knowhow!

[Glutton4...]

Thanks for posting those. It's reminded me, again, how mine looked when I got them. Barn hens are often no better treated than battery, as they can do more damage to each other as they are loose.

It won't be long before those huge floppy pink combs shrink and redden up. Their little faces will change beyond recognition and all their feathers will grow. They're lucky to be release this time of year - I've always got mine in winter, and they've come out to snow!

[Hilary B]

That is so upsetting, it is so unnecessery.

I noticed the pic was called 'barn hens', are they 'barn hens' as in not 'battery caged', if they are people relly need to know what they are buying. Barn hen eggs are always pushed as higher welfare that caged hens - that is just not true.

In some ways 'barn' hen keeping is worse, because while there is a little more spce to move, there is also more scope for bullying, less scope for proper inspections (to notice any problem) and more competition for the food and water.
Some 'free range' commercial flocks are actually 'barn' systems plus a few pop-holes that get opened some of the time. The outside is available, but only for fresh air and exercise, and a handful of bullies can prevent the more timid hens going out at all, or, worse, if they do get out the bullies stop them getting back in!

[petal]

The sooner this cruelty is banned the better. i will take some pictures of ours this week to show you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. They look fantastic now!

[shirlthegirl43]

Bless their little hearts - can't wait to see the change in them in a few weeks time. They will love you triple much for rescuing them Sue

[VirginVegGrower]

You already have your wings - what a difference to their lives starting now. Well done you xxx

[seasprout]

poor hens

Just wanted to say thank you for rescuing them, hope to see some more pics of them looking better in a few months time.

[Two_Sheds]

Yes Minskey - they are barn hens!

How can that be a "good welfare" label for eggs? Please send your pictures to all the major supermarkets

[perkin]

Oohhhh, they look so much like my 3 when I got them last spring. They're now unrecognisable as such and act as though they've been free-ranging all their lives. Hope yours fluff up soon Sue!