TOMWARDFARM Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Of course there would be no need for the BHWT if the omleteers of the nation put Battery Hen House farms out of business forcing them to improve their ways. Produce Eggs for sale (non profit) from Ex Battery Hens. Club together give these hens a better life and sell the eggs. Of course you can avoid all sorts of legislation if people marketing the eggs didn't sell them but asked for a donation for battling Battery Hen conditions and in return they get some eggs for free. Battery Hen Houses need to be abolished and consumers need to be given no other choice than to buy free range good eggs! Consumers will receive 100 x the quality at a fraction of the price Get some Celebs aboard, National Coverage again fantastic advertising for Omlet Co-ordinated correctly in 10 years if all went to plan of course there will be no battery hens to rescue! I am all for rescuing battery hens but under current circumstances there will always be a hen to rescue Come on Omleteers lets put our heads and resources (whether it is time, knowledge, land anything) together and achieve this. The revolution is now! Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I think between us we make a pretty reasonable effort as it is tbh, and the BHWT have made massive inroads already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I think that if you talk to the BHWT and read their site, you will find that they are already working to that end Christian - they have had amazing success with their 'softly' approach and are working to better inform both the consumers and the farmers. I have been following and helping them for a few years now and the shift in the public spending pattern from battery produced eggs over to 'kinder' eggs has been phenomenal... they are doing a brilliant job. Each person has it in them to make a difference in this emotive market, but I do think that you're preaching to the converted here on this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 Surely if I was 'preaching to the converted' then I would have posted how bad this issue is. I am merely coming up with a suggestion of a solution, however instead I am getting responses. Quite surprising really as I thought this was a forum for discussion not for people to be dismissive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Whilst we appreciate and share your passion, this is probably not the forum for radical approaches. Not wanting to get involved a revolution is not the same as being dismissive. I am a massive supporter of the BHWT and have rescue hens of my own. I have successfully persuaded many people, neighbours, friends, family and colleagues to stop buying battery eggs. In fact have far more hens than I actually need in order that I may supply them. I feel that I am doing as much as I can given my own circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Surely if I was 'preaching to the converted' then I would have posted how bad this issue is. I am merely coming up with a suggestion of a solution, however instead I am getting responses. Quite surprising really as I thought this was a forum for discussion not for people to be dismissive. Not dismissice at all Christian, just pointing out that all of us on here are happily converting people already and helping the BHWT with their work. I am sure that you will get results with your campaign. This forum, and Omlet actively supports the BHWT and we'd welcome your help if you'd care to join us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 I am allready an avid supporter of the BHWT, and am involved in the rescue of a number of ex bats in my area. Softly softly or 'Radically' the importance of educating the general public is the most important thing and what better way than to supply them with eggs from ex bats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Softly softly or 'Radically' the importance of educating the general public is the most important thing and what better way than to supply them with eggs from ex bats. Which is exactly what most of us are doing...... as Egluntine pointed out. We don't have the room for ex-batts in our patch, but my 10YO sells our bantams' eggs and donates all the proceeds to the BHWT, she is an avid supporter and has helped at rescues as well. As I said...... preaching to the converted. I wish you luck with your enterprise . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Which is exactly what I do, Christian. I also have given talks locally, aside from the Omlet Hen Parties, and have taken my hens into schools to spread the word. Sorry Clare, cross posted there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 If most of you are allready doing then why not join a united front? and receive more coverage from the media etc? 'The Revolution' is allready ongoing in the form of BHWT Definition - revolution (n.) a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Christian, we are more than happy to support the BHWT and see no need to dilute and confuse the message by starting up another body with the same message. I really can't see the point in repeating that again TBH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 another body? Merely a united front to make positive use of BH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 We all do what we can Christian. A lot of us here are Mums, working too some of us, & we don't have the time we would like to ba able to get involved in a major campaign. We do however support the cause in our own way, by refusing to eat any products with battery farmed eggs in as well as rehoming ex batts. The work already done by HFW & his contemporaries has been amazing,I am sure you will agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 Claret you said - We don't have the room for ex-batts in our patch, but my 10YO sells our bantams' eggs and donates all the proceeds to the BHWT, she is an avid supporter and has helped at rescues as well. What better opportunity than for your 10yo to sell the eggs in egg boxes supplied, with supporting the BHWT printed on them, with a leaflet / newsletter with information about the BHWT or similar stating how much has been raised for the BHWT. I could rescue 30 hens, and donate the proceeds from the eggs, but as a united front you could double, triple, or even multiply by 100. Me on my own will not generate any media coverage or external support. But if it was donated as a united contribution then it will achieve so much more. When I refer to Pooling resources, on the forum there must be access to printers for doing the egg boxes?, people with spare time to contribute to a newsletter/leaflet? people willing to sell other peoples eggs? The Omlet forum is full of enthusiasts and professionals from all walks of life who all do everything they can to help, be it other omleteers or the such organisations like the BHWT. I know what it is like to have no time or limited time, I have 2 small children I am currently working 12 x 12 hours shifts (144 hours in 1 go!), I have all my animals as listed below, I am involved in 2 community projects in my area, and I have an allotment. The idea of this is not for 1 person to use a lot of their time but a number of people to use a little of their time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 She already does that Christian, and has done so for years! Enough already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Whoah....... :D Have you run this past Jane Howorth, the founder of the BHWT, who might like some input into such a scheme, and particularly into any literature that might go out in the BHWT's name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 No Egluntine that's why I came on here initially to see what support and advice would be available from an already respected forum, and it's followers I don't know whether Claret has had input from Jane Howarth in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I don't know whether Claret has had input from Jane Howarth in the past. Never any need to as I've never planned any 'revolutions'. Jane kindly invited Rosie down to her farm though when she was doing her Friend to Animals Brownie badge, Buffie helped to organise it and Rosie looked after the sick hens from that rescue, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 I think before you assume I am part of some activist group - Revolution is a change in the way people think and act as previously posted. As again mentioned before the revolution has allready commenced with the work of the BHWT. In the case of 'Planning a Revolution' as Claret puts it merely a group of people combining resources, experiences and efforts of what they already do to enter a compined larger united sum for the BHWT is not 'Planning a Revolution' The Revolution is changin the way people think and act as in the General Public. The title of the thread is "the solution for the revolution" If Egluntine and Claret do not wish to be part of that then that is entireley their choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I think it's hard to go down a revolutionary route with a lot of people. Initially, I was very keen to educate people I knew on the downfalls of buying battery hen eggs and produce made using them. I then realised after much head bashing that a lot of people really don't think about the origins of their food. I decided to take a different approach by selling my eggs cheaper than 'value' supermarket ones to people who sruggled with the concept of welfare vs price. I asked them to stop buying from the supermarket and just to buy from me instead. Now they can see the difference in egg quality a lot of them have encouraged their friends and family to buy free range too. The gentle approach took longer but was more successful. I genuinely believe that with all the latest publicity and the fact battery hen egg sales have significantly dropped means the message is getting through. The main problem is not with joe public but with industry. The majority of battery hens lay for the processed food market. That's a huge hill to climb. I applaud your morals but even if every Omleteer influences 10 peoples buying habits that is a lot of battery eggs that are not bought each year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Moochoo Thank you for sharing your own experience, I completely believe what you are saying. I was thinking if Joe Publics opinions and perceptions were changed of what they are eating then eventually the industry would have no other reason than to change. Unfortunately I fear even if everyone in the UK didn't buy battery farmed eggs then the battery farmers in the UK would merely export them. The processed food issue is as you say a much larger issue, and again I fear if every farmer in the UK didn't keep chickens in battery conditions for eggs then the processed food manafacturers in the UK would simply import the eggs! I have seen plenty of coverage and media press on Table Birds, but not very much on the eggs, I know some Chefs are the patrons of the BHWT, maybe the egg industry is too much of small fry for them! If HFW had have focused on the UK keeping chickens for their own eggs and then approached the subject of table birds I think my personal perception is he would have had a better response. My Children ONLY eat food where I know it has come from hence why I have an allotment and Chickens Thank you Christian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milli Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Actually I think a lot of the reason that there is currently a lot of press about the table birds is that in the past there has been a lot said about battery eggs. A lot of people were not buying battery eggs but still buying standard chickens. Obviously I think that both need to be sorted (as I suspect does nearly everyone on here). I think what Claret and Egluntine and probably lots of others of us can't quite understand is what is different about what you are proposing compared to what most people on here are already doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I'm afraid one of the pitfalls of your scheme would be the fact that ex battery hens only lay for about another year or so once they're out of the cage. We adopted our girls in Oct 2007 and they've all stopped laying now which is why we got 2 chickens from a breeder in sept 2008. Our battery girls will live with us til the end of their days but you have to factor this into your scheme. What will you do with the non laying ex battery hens? If, like you say, you take on 30 girls and after 12 months they stop laying, what will you do? When we first got our girls, I didn't know what to do with all the eggs! I started making lemon curd which I now sell at a local farmers' market where I can wax lyrical about free range eggs to my heart's content. I also give eggs to friends, family and neighbours who all know about our ex batt girls. My husband's parents run a little newsagents/general store and they now don't sell battery eggs full stop after they noticed a change in people's buying habits, they only stock free range eggs now whereas before they would have had both. I think the BHWT do a fabulous job and once we have the room, we'll be getting some more ex batt girls. Why don't you get some ex batts of your own Christian? Confucious said "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMWARDFARM Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 [Milli you said I think what Claret and Egluntine and probably lots of others of us can't quite understand is what is different about what you are proposing compared to what most people on here are already doing? In response - to unite everyone doing what they are allready doing, in a united, uniformed way with printed egg boxes, with literature/newsletter produced by BHWT campaigners and supporters. Allthough I will make a difference myself with this approach it would produce a higher ammount of donation for BHWT, and in more media coverage for educating people. Poet you said: the fact that ex battery hens only lay for about another year or so once they're out of the cage. In response I have had personal experience and allthough the yield is not as high as your hyprids or pure breeds I have known them to continue to lay. Even if it was 1 or 2 per week. It may be in this circumstance necessary to combine your own eggs. BHWT Egg production/nesting Although there is no guarantee of how many eggs spent battery hens will lay, generally you will get about a 40-50% production rate, ie 10 hens will lay 4-5 eggs daily. THIS IS A GUIDELINE ONLY. Battery hens have absolutely no concept of a nest box facility. You will find eggs will be dropped wherever they happen to be walking at the time of lay. Rubber or china egg balls are a wonderful way of teaching the hens about the pleasure of laying in a cosy nest. They can be quite clumsy to begin with and the rubber eggs are ideal because they’re realistic and indestructible! I allways believed the reason farmers/ battery hen keepers was the resuction in eggs that hens lay (naturally year on year) and thus giving them loss of revenue per hen. Not that they completely stop laying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) I'll get my girls to read the web site then and tell them they're not pulling their weight! all 4 of our ex batts stopped laying after about a year. That doesn't bother me but would be an issue for your scheme as your idea is selling eggs from ex battery hens, NOT combining them with eggs from other chickens. If you start combining them with eggs from ordinary hybrids then you can't promote the eggs as ex battery eggs. Edited February 26, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
