Free range as stressed as battery birds

There are a number of studies going on around the world to test eggs from
various management systems using the levels of stress hormones to compare
the systems.
The results are probably not what were expected. There are similar studies
happening over here. It will be interested to see what results they get.

===========

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=468565&in_page_id=1770

Battery hens 'as happy as birds that can roam outside'
By BEN FARMER - Last updated at 20:00pm on 15th July 2007
Hens kept in battery cages are no more stressed than their free-range
counterparts, researchers say.
Their findings call into question the common belief that hens which are
allowed to roam free are happier.
Similar amounts of a hormone produced when hens are frightened were found in
the eggs of both kinds of birds.
Scientists believe this is because free-range hens have to deal with extra
pressures such as extremes of temperature, more parasites and the threat of
predators.
Dr Jeff Downing from Sydney University said: "If they have no cover, they
are constantly in fear of attack by predators."
"You can see it. A shadow comes over and they are completely startled."
A team at the university?'s poultry unit measured levels of the hormone
corticosterone in the whites of eggs laid by caged, barnreared and
free-range birds.
Dr Downing admitted that the hormone was only one measure of stress but
insisted it was a good one.
However, he refused to be drawn on the best method for keeping hens, saying:
?"Each system has its advantages and disadvantages."?
There are thought to be around 20 million caged hens in Britain, producing
63 per cent of the 10 billion eggs consumed a year.
Increasingly shoppers are prepared to pay extra for free-range eggs, which
can cost twice as much, in the belief such birds are better cared for and
happier.
And animal welfare campaigners yesterday said the latest research
contradicted many previous studies.
Dr Julia Wrathall, head of the RSPCA?s farm animal department, said: ?"The
RSPCA believes and scientific evidence shows that battery cages are simply
unacceptable because they don?t adequately satisfy the hens? basic
behavioural and physical needs. ?
"The findings of this study contrast directly with a number of other studies
looking at the well-being of caged hens which show that the birds are
severely disadvantaged in a number of ways when compared to those kept in
freerange or barn systems.?
A spokesman for the British Egg Information Service, the industry body for
egg farmers, welcomed the findings, saying the welfare of hens was ?of
paramount importance? however they were kept.
In March, Sainsbury?s announced it would phase out battery-farmed eggs over
the next four years as they were a turn-off for shoppers.

--

regards
Jill Bowis

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


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