Mrs Frugal Posted September 1, 2006 Author Share Posted September 1, 2006 Same typo here ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I saw the one show as well and did not think they done chickens any justice.I thought it would be more about the eglu and keeping chickens.Well if there any one out there trying to get some one to agree to chickens and a eglu lets hope they did not watch that. bluebell ruby marmalaid and may be one day another for some rescued hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellcat Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I got the same answer too and have mailed them back as my complaint was NOT about the white suits but about the lack of balance in the article. I WILL keep going until I get an individual answer - as you say LJ, click of a button and they can answer thousands of complaints - but not mine! Just watched the show tonight and they DID apologise about the white suit but not the implication by the barn farmer that garden hens could spread disease to barn hens - or that an article about urban chicken keeping was hijacked by the 'big boys'. Once again an example of the big boys getting one over on the little man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightworker01 Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Yes, and even when they apologise they have to take the mickey out of us.. We've had a large number of the chicken keeping fraternity Cock-a-Doodle-Doing over this, and then the bit at the end where they made a chicken out to be the devil - with its piercing red eyes. This is the e-mail I got from them. --------------------- Hi Brian. We're really sorry we seem to have upset you and so many urban chicken owners in our report on how owning chickens in the city is taking off all around the country. We certainly didn’t mean to offend anyone or suggest that there was a health risk in keeping chickens in your back gardens. Quite the opposite , the reason we filmed the report was because after your initial email we realised so many of you thought it was a great idea. We know that seeing our reporter Rajsh Mirchandani in a white protective suit looking like something from outer space didn't help. The reason he had to wear the suit was because he was travelling from the two households that keep chickens to a poultry farm on the same day. The National Farmers Union, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the BBC all advise that film crews take the best precautions possible to minimise any risk of cross infection. They appreciate that the risk of backyard chickens passing infections to commercial flocks is very low but they still believe the best way to minimise any risk is to take all the precautions possible and that is why they suggested Rajesh and his film crew wear protective suits. Plainly if Rajesh had just been filming chickens in their urban environment and not going onto a poultry farm he wouldn't have worn the suit. We hope we made it clear that there was no suggestion that people keeping chickens in their back gardens need to take such drastic precautions themselves. Also the National Farmers Union, told us that they have 80,000 Countryside members, many of whom keep chickens and they hope people continue to enjoy their chickens and the delicious eggs they produce for many years to come, as indeed do we. We hope this addresses some of your concerns, and would like to thank you again for your original email. The ONE Show ------------------ So I sent them another e-mail saying that I asked them to talk about urban chickens, so why did they go to a rural Barn Farmer, and I said that I asked them to talk about the Eglu, and they didn't. I will keep badgering them until they actually answer my questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightworker01 Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I know it is trivial, but if your going to apologise you should, especially when on TV, do it sincerely and professionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Although I totally agree with your point there Brian, I think it's time to let it drop. It's a lighthearted magazine programme, the flippant apology was in the same style. It was very poor that the original focus on garden hens completely shifted to the NFU chap in a barn and disease hype. But it's done now, we made our point and at least it was acknowledged on the programme tonight, albeit rather glibly. But, pressing the point further will just antagonize and is unlikely to achieve anything, what's done is done. I can understand why they didn't blatently advertise Omlet & the Eglu, it's just a shame the opportunity to portray garden hens positively was lost in the 2nd half. Let it rest Brian. Well done for getting the original email on TV and an interest of sorts on the programme! Also, congratulations to Karen (thought you were great) and the others (sorry, names have gone, but they were lovely pieces) and how lovely to see the purple Eglu on screen. A programme on chickenkeeping by Johannes would have been good! But, let's leave it now, accentuate the positive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Well said Sheila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 I agree Sheila, they admitted they were wrong and yes it was light hearted but the nature of the programme is magazine, so it's to be expected. The implications of any disease being transmitted to commercial egg producers are huge, so the clothing was justified. Anyone ever arrived in the US and been grilled about any recent visits to farms or if you have fresh food in your possesion! I had a near miss The mistake they made was visiting the barn producer as part of an urban chicken piece. New show, mistakes, I say let it go and keep trying to get a show on TV about our pet hens! BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 New show, mistakes, I say let it go and keep trying to get a show on TV about our pet hens! BBx I agree with all that you've said, although to be entirely honest I've got serious doubts about pushing for a TV programme about pet hens. I love mine, and would recommend anyone to consider them as pets, but we're rapidly approaching flu vaccine silly season again. I'm expecting over 1000 flu vaccs at the end of Sept..... and then all hell breaks loose trying to administer the darned things as soon as possible You can bet your bottom dollar that the whole Avian Influenza media panic/ hype will go into overdrive again at the same kind of time . There needs to be a really well balanced programme about the real risks and the role or not of the poultry industry and pet hen keepers etc, but I can't see a well balanced documentary getting the same viewing figures as a sensationalist scare-mongering show. I'm afraid that I think that with hindsight The One Show was probably entirely predictable........ and any other programme is likely to be unable to resist jumping on the same band wagon. I may be very wrong of course, this is entirely my personal opinion, but I'd say lets just drop it, and simply enjoy our own hens. We're a minority group, many people think we're odd keeping hens as pets, those who are interested and like-minded will join us . Plenty will remain panic stricken about the risks of AI, and I'm not convinced that we're in a position to educate them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Well that's what the BHWT is all about..educating the public and raising awareness of the plight of caged hens and how they make wonderful pets. We all can educate the public about why we keep pet hens and adopt ex batteries . Everytime we mention our hens and what it's done to change our lives someone listens. Many friends with children watch in awe as their children race down to our hens to look for eggs and ask questions, they had no idea it would have that effect. To be a valuable programme it needs to deal with the subject sensitively and without the 'sniggers' that accompany such shows as the 'extreme' American prog, hens indoors in nappies etc. Time and care and the right publicity can be really helpful but not all publicity is good. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 I agree entirely Buff... I have two sets of friends who have been converted to keeping chickens, and many more who now know my opinions on battery hens..... and I hope, take those views and join with me to some extent. My problem is simply that I could not trust ANY media to handle the sensitivity of such issues... I have had dealings in my job with local newspapers and even those guys twist, manipulate and misreport what you say and try to sensationalise. It seems we're living in a nation which is only interested in drama and exaggeration. The truth and sensible stuff just don't sell newspapers or get good viewing figures. I think we carry on with our own, very unique and special "quiet crusade" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Oh yes, I agree entirely, and am a staunch supporter of BHWT, they do an amazing, and very much needed, job. They need good, positive publicity for sure to alert the public to the inherent cruelty of the battery hen industry, and just how widely battery eggs are used in the catering and food industries. Like Annie I simply don't trust the media not to hype up the sensationalist "bird flu" side of chicken keeping. I think that as individuals we all do, and should continue to, extol the virtues of hen keeping and of free range eggs and campaign against the battery egg industry. I just don't think that we should be inviting entertaining, as opposed to documentary, TV programmes to focus on pet hens...... only because I think it could backfire.... again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 maybe you should switch off the telly and listen to the radio instead.. this very lunchtime the question of keeping hens in the back garden was dealt with very positively (and with no reference to bird flu or any diseases) by the worthy panel of Gardeners Question Time - radio 4 three of the four panelists keep a couple of chickens and were singing their praises. Phil (the radio is king!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 should be downloadable for a while as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Dan - it's a pure accident that my post immediately followed yours - I wasn't commenting specifically on YOUR tell-use - just putting in a plug for t'radio... But as you mention it - I don't think there is any correlation between TVs and computer games and children not reading. All my three kids have been avid TV watchers and addicted computer/console gameplayers - but they are also avid readers (we had to take the trailer on holiday to accomodate the 30 books they signed out from the library between them for our fortnight's holiday...) Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted September 3, 2006 Author Share Posted September 3, 2006 I agree Phil. Both my boys spend hours playing XBox or computer games and yet they adore books. Ollie positively devours books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 I think it would have been better if they made in concentrate purely on backyard hens and not go to a poultry farm. That would have been a lot better. And they should have asked the owners more questions about why they make such good pets etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Oh dear - communication cockup!! yes - Dan - I was agreeing with you! the dinosaur programme led to the reading - I was offering further evidence to back up your missus!! but - as you say... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 A friend has just sent me this link to a BBC article on free range hens. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5277392.stm I didn't know quite where to post it. It makes interesting reading but the bit that hit me, relating to this thread, is that barn eggs account for just 6% of the egg market, compared to free-range at 30%. Free-range hens would have made a much more understandable 'other side' to the hens in the backyard story (if they had to do an 'other side' at all ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Yes, I agree Ginette. I was surprised at the figure for Barn Eggs compared to Free Range although not surprised at the Battery farm figures - thanks to Buffie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Oh the thread has gone all over the place...ah life on the forum remains unchanged Just to say back on publicity...I think I was just saying that BHWT uses media very carefully. Jane has to have alot of control or she won't go near it. I agree that we don't just throw caution to the wind and sorry if I sounded a bit abrupt (not intended). I would like to see Omlet in a programme that just spoke about the pet hen phenomenon and perhaps that is up to them BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 I would like to see Omlet in a programme that just spoke about the pet hen phenomenon and perhaps that is up to them BBx I'd like to see that too. Also it would be good publicity for their wonderful eglus! And make people more aware of what garden hen keping is about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 I just saw a trailer for the One Show. They are doing another article about keeping chickens TONIGHT - 6:55! Wow, people power! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 get those recorders switched on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Right - I am off to set my Sky+ thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
