Popcorn Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Has anybody read the Letters page of P P magazine this month? There's a couple of letters in there about the BHWT and Jane Howorth. I'm finding the jist of the complaint hard to follow (and I haven't got the mag on me to refer to just now ) but it was refering to Jane and her battery hen rescue's as becoming too much/too popular. I was trying to read between the lines and understand what alternatives were on offer for the battery hen? Surely they weren't insisting on the hen being slaughtered rather than being re-homed? They also mention that 'novice' hen keepers should not be allowed to house resuced battery hens, due to the work and commitment involved in rearing them back to health. Surely anything is better than a cage for a home, and I don't expect anybody goes into chicken keeping light heartedly? Maybe someone can help me ourt here, as I think I might be missing the point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Gina. Is that in the Feb or March issue? I haven't got March yet as I don't subscribe to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 March issue, I got it yestrerday in the post. It refers to an article the Feb issue though, so I'm going to have a look at that tonight when I get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Hi Gina, I have just read the letters and quite honestly I can't understand what their problem is. They make it sound as though battery hens are being thrust upon new, inexperienced chicken owners. Surely keeping battery hens is a personal choice? If some birds die within a few weeks from ill health, then I would expect that is a risk that owners are prepared to take. Chickens from battery farms are in generally poor condition - everyone knows this. If there is a chance that some can be nursed back to health and live a relatively happy, untroubled life, then all the better for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Rent-a-mob just like to complain about something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Hi Gina, I have just read the letters and quite honestly I can't understand what their problem is. They make it sound as though battery hens are being thrust upon new, inexperienced chicken owners. Surely keeping battery hens is a personal choice? If some birds die within a few weeks from ill health, then I would expect that is a risk that owners are prepared to take. Chickens from battery farms are in generally poor condition - everyone knows this. If there is a chance that some can be nursed back to health and live a relatively happy, untroubled life, then all the better for them. Just for once Graham, I totally agree with you! I haven't seen the March issue yet, but saw the article in Feb's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Just for once Graham, I totally agree with you! I haven't seen the March issue yet, but saw the article in Feb's. We don't want to agree too often though. Otherwise it might look as though we like each other.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 It's a pity they can't put as much energy into trying to put an end to the practise of keeping hens in that way in the first place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 It's a pity they can't put as much energy into trying to put an end to the practise of keeping hens in that way in the first place Well said Lesley! Who's got a farm then? I bet you won't sleep for excitement tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 Thanks Graham (& part-time partner in crime - Clare ) You know, I thought I was missing something. I just can't see what the issue is. How can something negative be made out of re-housing a battery hen? What a funny bunch Fancy accusing Jane Howorth of having too much passion. I think the real issue is that Jane has got a lot of publicity in the mag and they think that the message has been spread too far, too wide for too long. I have to share this appalling quote... "Ms Howorth is clearly a very focused and highly driven person - this comes across most clearly - and no doubt has carried her worthy cause a long way. But might I suggest that she'd serve her admirable flock and their aims far better if she toned it down a bit, and realised that a respect for 'variety of life' is just as important as quality of life!" So the battery cage is an acceptable way to keep a hen because the hen is experiencing 'variety in its life' I have to say I just don't understand his view point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 I don't understand it either. So what if the Battery Hen Welfare Trust is getting a lot of exposure? I would have thought that one of the primary concerns of poultry keepers is animal welfare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 The BHWT should be getting more exposure! Before I embarked on the world of all things chicken, I didn't realise that battery hens spent their lives basically living on an A4 piece of paper with sides (We've always bought freerange eggs out of principle). I obviously knew that their conditions were far from ideal. Anybody who is willing & loving enough to give a caring home to a BH should be given all the credit they deserve in giving the hen a chance to have a life of love, freedom & freeranging. Some people are never happy unless they're moaning. Must get of my high horse now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 How appalling- I can't believe that anyone would actually write, never mind publish an article like that. I'm horrified. Not that I've read it yet, not sure if I want to, I'd probably just end up ranting and raving. But to criticise Jane's work in rescuing battery hens, and then to seem to condone the battery hen industry I for one certainly wish that Jane's work was unnecessary, but until battery farming is abolished she and her teams are doing brilliant work in trying to offer a happier life to retired hens. I agree with you all- including Graham, for once Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 Too right CarolineP! Jane Howarth at the BHWT is fab; Rosie is doing her Friend to Animals badge at Brownies, and has chosen the BHWT as the charity that she would like to work with and help support. Jane has been very helpful, sending information and she is currently arranging for Rosie to be present at an adoption when the chooks go to their new home. The woman is a saint! Where does she find time to do all of this? It is obviously a passion for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
