Cube mk2 and WIR

[Guest]

aaah I stand corrected - she didn't seem too "attached" to the kid so I thought it was someone elses. I!

 

not very empathic is she? It shows.

[WitchHazel]

Before I say what I'm going to say, I just want to state that I don't support battery/intensive farming, and I have bought only free range chickens for as long as I can remember - at least the last 12 years. I just feel the need to say thatm, in case anyone thinks I am pro intensive.

 

The conditions the intensive chickens were living in were dreadful. Appalling. BUT, in the interest of balance, I do have to say that they had more room than I had expected, at least up until the time that Jamie went in, which I think was with a week left to go. When I've seen pics of intensive barns before, I kinda assumed that they lived in that appalling desnity for the whole of their short lives, which actually they don't.

 

That doesn't make the practice any more acceptable of course.

 

I read something disturbing today, can't remember where - possibly on here - which showed that so-called free range chickens are not necessarily as free range as we would think. Some producers have such huge sheds that the chickens in the middle can't actually get to the pop holes to get out, so they also never see daylight/scratch the ground/dustbathe.

[fairy&cake]

I feel sorry for Hayley not being able to afford free-range...

 

no offense Daniel, but she could if she wanted to. I bet she actually has more of a shopping budget than me. Maybe if she actually got off her sofa and grew some potatos The EASIEST thing to grow , and veg she might save some money and be able to afford free range meats.

 

i can only afford £100 a month for 3 of us, and i eat all organic veg, free range meat , etc etc.

 

And i know theres great cheap veg shops in axeminster, because ive shopped there.

[Guest]

I read something disturbing today, can't remember where - possibly on here - which showed that so-called free range chickens are not necessarily as free range as we would think. Some producers have such huge sheds that the chickens in the middle can't actually get to the pop holes to get out, so they also never see daylight/scratch the ground/dustbathe.

 

but they have more room and an enriched environment inside, that makes a difference too.

[BeckyBoo]

It's still not free range as I think the majority of the public would imagine though is it? Don't forget that most of the people on this forum are probably far more informed than your average consumer simply because we're all here because we're interested in chickens. The difference between the intensive farmed birds and the free rangers is becoming more obvious, it's not the number intensity that has depressed me, or even the access to outside or "toys" it's the fact that the intensive farmed birds are just sitting there, too heavy for their own legs, like he said, just waiting to die. That's the saddest bit of all for me. I eat meat, I have no problem with him culling sick and injured birds (altho to cull something just because it's underweight didn't seem at all right) but it's like looking at polar bears in a zoo, pacing back and forth, slowly going mad with boredom. Jamie and Hugh said at one point, Mother Nature would have no hand in genetically designing those birds, they could only have been man made. The things man will do in his greed, makes you ashamed to be human sometimes.

 

Mrs Bertie

Edited January 8, 2008 by Guest

[One Man Banned]

how very well put Mrs Bertie

 

A

xx

[chelsea]

like he said, just waiting to die. That's the saddest bit of all for me.

 

Mrs Bertie

 

I agree, and excuse me for getting all soppy here, but all of god's creations on this beautiful earth deserves to feel the sun on its back and wind in its feathers/fur.

 

But like hugh said, its not the farmers or the processors fault its the "supermarket culture" we live in today. And you can go on and on because not only are chickens intensely reared - but pigs are too...there awful conditions that pigs are kept in too - some of them dont see daylight. Hubby eats meat - but I never buy cheap pork either!

[Egluntyne]

Gosh....I go out for a couple of hours this evening.....a rare enough vent in itself.....and miss a cracking good debate.

 

Wait for me another time.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Gosh....I go out for a couple of hours this evening.....a rare enough vent in itself.....and miss a cracking good debate.

 

Wait for me another time.

 

Chickens are taking over your typing .

[Egluntyne]

Gosh....I go out for a couple of hours this evening.....a rare enough vent in itself.....and miss a cracking good debate.

 

Wait for me another time.

 

Chickens are taking over your typing .

 

 

They are it's true.

 

You are funny ANH!

[chelsea]

 

You are funny ANH!

 

makes me chuckle lots too! (and you yourself Eglutine) you are both very quick witted which I like

Edited January 8, 2008 by Guest

[Egluntyne]

[Janty]

Our local butcher has recently switched it's pork suppliers. They now only sell Blythburgh free range pork. There has been a minimal price rise but he can't sell enough. Every Saturday there are queues out of the door.

 

Lots of people do care and they are beginning to associate the welfare of the animal whilst it is alive with the taste when it is prepared for the consumer.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

 

If I knew how to get that smiley, I'd be doing that too .

[Snowy]

I've just finished watching it (had to video it). I found it interesting that they were two different breeds of chicken. The free rangers could not have been kept in the intensive side and vice versa. The standard birds have had all their instincts to perch, scratch, jump, flap etc bred out of them. So all they do is eat. That in itself is inhumane.

 

Even if the free rangers never do get outside, they are a more 'natural' bird and will behave as such, whether indoors or out. Far better in my opinion.

[Lesley]

I've just finished watching it (had to video it). I found it interesting that they were two different breeds of chicken. The free rangers could not have been kept in the intensive side and vice versa. The standard birds have had all their instincts to perch, scratch, jump, flap etc bred out of them. So all they do is eat. That in itself is inhumane.

 

Even if the free rangers never do get outside, they are a more 'natural' bird and will behave as such, whether indoors or out. Far better in my opinion.

 

I was interested in that bit as well........... it's not actually true!

 

They behave like that partly due to the breeding because they do get too heavy for their legs (and they have really thick legs!) but mostly because they are bored and have nothing to do.

 

So far, we have not been able to find the table birds we would like, and have been too squeamish to raise a Light Sussex type bird as they look too close to our layers, and the birds we buy are the same ones as the ones used in the broiler side. We grow them slowly. They are provided with food ad lib because they are bred to be hungry but we place the feed stations so that they have to walk to find food. Given the right conditions they do behave like free-range birds, they jump and run and scratch about and dust bathe. They are not the best birds for free-ranging but we grow ours up to the age of about 9 months. We can't let them go much further as their hearts stay small and will not, eventually, support a large bird.

 

Knowing this makes it difficult for me to watch the broiler house birds - bored out of their minds and eating because it is all there is for them to do

 

I'll post a photo later in the Good Life thread ( not the Good Life Section) so that you can see some of these broiler type birds enjoying themselves.

 

It was interesting to see the varying reactions last night. We lost signal because of the rain (Sky ) just as Hugh cooked an enormous risotto and we had to watch Ch4+1 to see what happened! I was pleasantl;y surprised to see that they enjoyed it and there appeared to be no adverse comments (well, only from Carl who doesn't like risotto )

 

Is it the last one tonigtht? - this one is the one which will cover the slaughter.

[nicki9]

Well after 2 night of watching Hugh, DH who has never been bothered about where chicken comes from has said that he will stop buying products with chicken and eggs in unless free range (except KFC - but he'll think about it). This may not seem much, but I'm veggie and only ever buy a whole free range/organic bird for sunday lunch for the rest of the family. DH loves chicken and previously would buy all sorts of "chicken" ready made products and take aways.

 

We were both really impressed at the Hugh/Jamie collaboration. They don't "need" to support this cause so strongly, and both are obviously putting a lot of time and effort into it. Well done to them both.

[buffie]

Brilliant and that means it has already worked Lesley that is so interesting. The media would love that, don't suppose you'd like a visit For the chickens

 

BBx

[Egluntyne]

I have just been watching the recording of it, whilst ironing.

 

I was surprised that so many of the people that Hugh cooked the risotto for had absolutely no idea about how to use up left over chicken or indeed that there was usable meat underneath the bird.

 

One woman said she cooked whole chickens but only used the breast.

 

I am convinced that it is a lack of decent opportunities to learn how to cook basic meals in schools that is partly to blame.

 

Not everone is lucky enough to have a parent who is prepared to teach their children how to cook.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again....bring back proper Domestic Science lessons, for boys and girls.

 

The facts that they were surprised that the left over chicken would make a decent meal, that they didn't know about stock and the fact that they all enjoyed the meal immensely said a lot.

 

Old Haley isn't so bad.

 

We might criticise her choices.....and she is morbidly obese.....but how much of it is down to lack of decent information, and would she have made different choices with better information and learning opportunities such as this to hand.

 

I'll stick my neck out and say I reckon she would....and so would many others.

[Guest]

(except KFC - but he'll think about it). .

 

how about making him his own fried chicken using free range chicken yourself?

 

I had a really good recipe once for Nigella's 'picnic fried chicken' where she poaches the chicken pieces in milk first but I've lost it. It was much nicer than KFC, IMO.

 

Anyone got it?

 

ask him to look at the video on this site too - **warning, contains upsetting footage**

 

http://www.kentuckyfriedcruelty.com/

 

if you think hugh's programme is bad, you aint seen nothing yet!

[nicki9]

Now he has made that first step I will try your ideas. Thank you Poet.

 

I may get the kids to help make the fried chicken on Friday. They are already well on the way to being converts. At their grandparents last week they asked if the roast served was a happy chicken. My mum phoned me up to say how guilty they made her feel. She won't make that mistake with them again.

[Lesley]

The first thing the supplier told us when we collected our first batch of 'Dinners' was that "KFC kill theirs at a week older than these" - and he turned the chicken upside down to show us the size Their bones were still rubbery

 

There is a KFC type recipe in the recipe section - Clare posted it I think.

[Lesley]

Now he has made that first step I will try your ideas. Thank you Poet.

 

I may get the kids to help make the fried chicken on Friday. They are already well on the way to being converts. At their grandparents last week they asked if the roast served was a happy chicken. My mum phoned me up to say how guilty they made her feel. She won't make that mistake with them again.

 

- another convert.......

 

They'll enjoy making the fried chicken Nicki

[Guest]

the kfc near us makes the greasiest, most disgusting chicken i've ever eaten. I used to have it now and again, years ago, but stopped because it was quite disgusting stuff.

 

Homemade is lovely and crisp and crunchy, just like it should be AND you know where it's come from.

 

 

[bronze]

I am convinced that it is a lack of decent opportunities to learn how to cook basic meals in schools that is partly to blame.

 

Not everone is lucky enough to have a parent who is prepared to teach their children how to cook.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again....bring back proper Domestic Science lessons, for boys and girls.

 

 

Oh I agree my mums erm not the best cook in the world (love you mum) though she does have the odd speciality. I would have loved to have learnt to cook decent family meals at school. We did things like marscapone and lime torte when we did cook which though yummy isnt very useful. Books, tv and the internet are wonderful resources and are teaching me what little I know. (pilfering your recipes I mean )

 

I don't dislike Hayley (I disliked that bit of hipocrisy). I like the fact that shes determined and forthright and isnt a sheep. I just hope she can be converted as all these good qualities could be used in brilliant ways for getting the message across.