Re: free range regulations and interpretation

From: Jill (news_at_REMOVETHISkintaline.co.uk)
Date: 07/28/04 

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 19:19:28 +0100

"Jill" <news@REMOVETHISkintaline.co.uk> wrote in message
news:41065f87$0$96037$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader03.plus.net...

my concerns and observations included -

> In Scotland free range producers have been instructed to include 15cm of
> aerial perches for their units or they cannot call them Free range.

I thought that when we started this was part of the guidelines but must be
wrong or they have changed again in the mean time

Up until
> now they have not had to. This is to comply with SEERAD's interpration of
> the EU welfare rules
>
> It has caused an interesting reaction from producers - the gist of which I
> have added
> I know what I think - but offered it out to others for opinions:~))
>
> --
> Rails are deemed to be a problem as it causes obstacles in the house - and
> they walk the sheds every hour as the birds come into lay
>
I have not had time to find out why they are walking the sheds every hour at
this time - ?? in case of egg eaters ?? prolapses ?? can anyone think of
other reasons??
I would have thought it would disturb them more than anything else

> Perches are being made up of galvanised tubing

I can see the reason for cleaning but would not have thought these would
make particularly appealing perches for most birds??
I would think they would still pock in short time with the nitrogen in the
muck ???

- doubt is expressed as to
> whether the birds will use it as they do not use a rail in front of the
> nestboxes. At present birds huddle on the floor in groups at night
>
I am surprised that they feel this is a good thing especially with slatted
floors as there must be draughts up under the houses which one would think
are less than advantageous

> Other objections to perches which are not required in England and Wales
are
> that they hinder bird movement,

Not something we have ever observed. Perches for layers are higher than bird
head height so they simply pass underneath
Smaller house the perches are low so the birds hop over them

 cause obstacles that injure birds if they
> fly into them,

I always thought commercial birds were dumb !! - joke!!!! but unless they
have complete morons chasing birds around the houses I find this difficult
to fathom

be sites for red mite,

galvie round is unlikely - others are a possibility I grant and they are
having a horrendous problem with red mite in the industry it seems

and hinder people movement

That is true
With good designs tho - they should be able to make them removeable for
displenishing houses

> They really do not think their birds will use the perches - saying that
> their is no evidence the birds will. - similar to your problem Martyn
> In England they have incorporated perches as slats in the floor

This seems to be a poor idea to me as if hte perches are a reasonable size
you are going to get accumulation of muck which they are sitting in or you
have very fine rails and gaps which is less than ideal for gripping??/

>
> ----
> I wondered if any one had any comments :~))))))))))

anyone? 

--
regards
Jill Bowis
Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment,  Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Holidays in Scotland and Wales
http://www.kintaline.co.uk

Relevant Pages

  • free range regulations and interpretation
    ... In Scotland free range producers have been instructed to include 15cm of ... aerial perches for their units or they cannot call them Free range. ... Perches are being made up of galvanised tubing - doubt is expressed as to ... whether the birds will use it as they do not use a rail in front of the ...
    (sci.agriculture.poultry)
  • Re: free range regulations and interpretation
    ... > aerial perches for their units or they cannot call them Free range. ... > whether the birds will use it as they do not use a rail in front of the ...
    (sci.agriculture.poultry)
  • Re: OT: why not shellfish? [Was:Re: Fish & Nut Analogy]
    ... the typical backyard chook house has perches a metre or two ... above ground level, and the birds have to fly up to them before ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: free range regulations and interpretation
    ... >> whether the birds will use it as they do not use a rail in front of the ... At present birds huddle on the floor in groups at night ... >> Other objections to perches which are not required in England and Wales ... > Our hens are huddled together at night on the perches. ...
    (sci.agriculture.poultry)
  • Re: Bloody slugs!
    ... I can't quite understand what the megatoads live on once the slugs are all ... number of birds living in the houses and yesterday we found one of the many ... outside in some places but again, birds and toads do a great job for us. ... Encarsia, even up to two or three years later. ...
    (uk.rec.gardening)