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| On Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:59:53 +0100, "Pat Gardiner"
<patgardiner@btinternet.com> wrote:
>Pat's Note: Falling out amongst themselves now. Nothing to do with welfare.
>Everything to do with subscriptions.
>
>http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/...ming/article.do
>
>RSPCA exposes horror of intensive chicken farming
>
>26.09.06
>
>Chicken factory farms were slammed by the RSPCA with new research
>identifying cruelty on a massive scale.
>
>Tens of millions of weak and injured 'factory' birds die every year because
>their bodies cannot cope with regimes designed to speed their growth.
>
>While many more suffer painful leg burns, which are caused by the acidic
>filth on the floor of the barns.
>
>However, new research from the RSPCA shows that offering more humane rearing
>conditions can generate dramatic welfare benefits.
>
>It found a reduction of 65 per cent in the number of birds that die or are
>destroyed because they are sick and injured.
>
>At the same time, there was an 82 per cent reduction in painful hock burn
>and 46 per cent reduction in foot pad burn.
>
>The animal welfare charity looked at chickens reared indoors to current
>industry standards - under the 'Red Tractor' logo scheme. These standards
>apply to 90 per cent of the 860m chicken reared every year.
>
>These were compared to those reared indoors to the RSPCA's specifications
>for chicken farmers under its Freedom Food scheme.
>
>Researcher found that some 5.1 per cent of birds reared to the industry
>standards die while being reared. This compares to 1.8 per cent for farms
>operating to RSPCA rules.
>
>The RSPCA said 'Red Tractor' standards allocate less space than a sheet of
>A4 paper to each chicken in a shed.
>
>The birds are kept in near constant dim light. This keeps the birds eating
>for longer and discourages activity to maximise their growth.
>
>They are bred to grow very quickly which can cause them a variety of health
>problems such as heart failure and lameness. Many collapse onto the floors
>of the sheds, which exposes them to acidic ammonia.
>
>Today, factory farm chicken grow to slaughter weight of around two kilos in
>just 38 days, which is more than twice the growth rate of 30 years ago.
>
>Senior scientific officer at the RSPCA, Dr Marc Cooper, said the evidence of
>higher injuries and deaths in the factory farms is clear.
>
>He said: "This is the first study of its kind which provides clear evidence
>that meat chickens raised to the RSPCA's strict welfare standards suffer a
>significantly lower incidence of some serious health problems compared to
>standard chickens."
>
>The RSPCA Freedom Food regime allows birds more space; gives brighter
>lighting during the day and a longer dark period at night to allow a proper
>rest period.
>
>The barns have perches, straw bales and pecking objects to encourage
>activity and the expression of natural behaviour.
>
>The birds are selected from genetically slower growing breeds to help
>overcome the serious welfare problems associated with faster growth rates.
>The RSPCA scheme is not alone in guaranteeing higher welfare. Organic and
>free range producers offer even more space and scope for the birds to enjoy
>a natural existence.
>
>Dr Cooper said: "Consumers hold the power to improve the lives of millions
>of chickens by voting with their shopping baskets and choosing higher
>welfare labelled chicken such as Freedom Food, free-range or organic.
>
>"If more consumers demand higher welfare chicken, more supermarkets will
>stock it and more farmers will raise their standards.
Not if the RSPCA are conning us that Freedom Foods is a benefit to
animals.
>"Consumers can drive this process and it costs less than you think."
>Birds produced to higher welfare standards do cost more than those from
>conventional intensive units. The price will be £5-£6 versus £3-£4 for
>standard birds.
>
>However, the RSPCA insists this is a small price to pay to avoid cruelty on
>a massive scale.
>
>The National Farmers' Union defended the industry's Red Tractor scheme,
>saying it ensured that chicken welfare is not compromised.
>
>Chairman of the NFU poultry board, Charles Bourns, said he previously reared
>his own chickens according to the RSPCA's Freedom Food standards but had not
>seen any improvement in their overall health.
Quite right. Both scams are a con!
>"I think the RSPCA, rather than criticising the way we rear our chicken,
>should sell their scheme on its merits - if there any," he said.
>
>"This has annoyed farmers because we work very hard and we don't compromise
>welfare at all. "People should have confidence to buy the Red Tractor
>chicken.
>Certainly the birds' welfare won't have been compromised in its production."
That's a lie. Both Freedom Foods and Red Tractor Logo chickens are jam
packed into a shed, with no daylight and no perches.
Only last week, we were in a chicken farm that supplied both Freedom
Foods, Red Tractor and Marks and Spencer's. You could just about
breathe inside.
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