Bhwt Newsletter Winter 2009

Battery Hen Welfare Trust “Working to inspire a Free Range Future” Registered Charity No: 1109060

Newsletter No 21

www.bhwt.org.uk Phone: 01769 580310 Email: [email protected] North Parks, Chulmleigh, Devon, EX18 7EJ

2009 Dear Supporters As sure as eggs is eggs my passion is the best motivation I could wish for and after six years doing what I love most, I see the beginnings of success. As well as growing as a charity, we’re influencing and through that influence thousands more hens are permanently leaving behind their cages to enjoy a free range life. Just think of all those hens laying eggs for Hellmans mayonnaise, once they were in cages – now they are free ranging. You helped us achieve that … nice feeling isn’t it. You’ll see lots more evidence in this issue of how with your help, we are changing commercial egg production consumer power works and it’s beginning to show. As well as highlighting our collective achievements, there’s a bumper double page spread of chilly chickens who have opted for the cosy life now winter is approaching; we are proud to invite you to join us at the National Poultry Club Show for the very first time and we introduce you to two of our very youngest campaigners. All that together with news of our emergence on the political scene, your funny ex-bat tales and our 2009 Christmas cards and gifts, means I’d better shut up and let you get on with reading ...there's even an extra four pages this time! Jane X

The past few months have provided more great evidence of our growing influence. For starters we’ve been on Countryfile again! Adam Henson, Countryfile presenter, was so impressed with his ex-bats he covered their progress in a follow up show in August. The ex-bats fared incredibly well in their free range environment and a comparison with their organic counterparts showed little difference in condition after just a few months. Excellent! Adam Henson

We also appeared on BBC Radio Stoke, BBC Radio Wales and in the Times.

We like to pop up in all sorts of different places, that way we reach different audiences. We were thrilled when Joules clothing company said they wanted to include us on their website and in their seasonal magazine. Joules began selling country clothes at county shows in 1980; they offer tradition with a twist, practicality and style. Their summer feature on chickens proved popular with their readers so they mentioned us again in the autumn issue.

Finally we appeared in Country Life’s prestigious list of 100 most powerful groups in the UK today. We featured at No 82, just two behind David Cameron and several ahead of HRH Zara Phillips! We were only animal welfare group featured and this is what they wrote: “Battery Hen Welfare Trust, which educates the public about the egg industry in a remarkably sensible and non-hysterical way, seeking to build only positive, constructive relationships with the egg industry and numbers Jamie Oliver, the Duchess of Richmond and Amanda Holden among its Patrons.” Yep, sounds like us!

The big and rather pleasant surprise this time around was the amazing success of the Everyclick.com Fiat 500 competition. Email supporters who receive our monthly Fresh Laid News Bulletin were invited to buy a £2 ticket to win an adorable retro bubble car (I’ve got one and confirm they’re adorable) with £1.90 coming direct to the charity. Within 24 hours nearly £1,200 had been raised by our fantastic supporters. Thank you ALL so much for taking part, this money will hopefully be put towards a vehicle just a little bigger than a bubble car! We’ll show you when we’ve got it!

Jeanette Carpenter makes and sells pretty handmade cards on our behalf and recently sent us a much appreciated £30 – lovely!

Sylvia Butcher raised £37.95 by adopting 12 ex-bats and challenging her class of school children to choose names – far more healthy than penny sweets! The names the children chose were Miss Chuckles; Hattie; Hendrow; Lottey; Manny; Rosie; Fluffy; Emily; Melody; Miss Einstein; Huw and Grace. A big thank you to Linda Parkinson and everybody at Vertex Data Sciences who manage the National Trust membership scheme. Their ‘Go Green’ charity initiative recently raised £326 for us which more than covered the costs involved in getting out 2000 hens in one weekend in October. On behalf of all 2000, thank you. Regular supporter and car boot sale wizard, Leighton Dyer, raised another whopping £151. Leighton not only raises funds for us, he hands out leaflets, answers questions about the charity and writes the loveliest letters to us at Hen Central in Devon! Thank you Leighton! Ali Woodruff, who was kind enough to adopt our 100,000th ex-bat back in August 2008, turned the big 4-0 this year and raised £100 in birthday donations ... much better than unwanted presies! Thank you Ali, we’re really grateful.

The Screwball Rally (aka The Chicken Run) was a great success with Paul Leyfield, Marcus Stickland and Keith Richings all taking part to raise money for us. The 2,200 mile trip through six countries in five days in a car worth no more than £750 was a bit of a challenge. The BHWT stickers drew much attention, including from the German police. Having stopped the car to check out what they were doing, they then signed the stickers and sent them on their way! It seems the girls impressed the German police to the extent that other cars stopped were asked if they, too, were on the 'Chicken run'! The guys have raised over £500 and are already planning the next one! FAB!

Finally, if you are one of the lucky few to have received a place in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon, would you be willing to make it a chicken run and raise funds for the BHWT? If you would, Lisa would love to hear from you and can be reached on 01769 580310 or by email at [email protected]. Thanks! If you would like to find out more about fundraising for the BHWT, please contact Lisa Tate on 01769 580310

In a recent survey retail analyst, IGD, found that despite the credit crunch price conscious consumers didn’t abandon their welfare principles and as a result free range egg sales were higher than last year. I like to think we had a little bit to do with that, encouraging sales in our positive, tasty eggy sort of way. IGD studied consumers’ TV viewing habits too and established that food programmes were amongst the most popular. Each of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s chicken programmes gained 3.6 million viewers with only two programmes beating ratings during the same period, one of which was Jamie’s Fowl Dinners with 4 million viewers ... that’ll be the programme the BHWT had a hand in from concept to screening then! Interestingly IGD found the public seemed to have a higher opinion of farmers than farmers had of themselves with farmers being rated as hardworking, down to earth and professional by the majority of the public. More evidence of strong consumer ethics was shown at the Pig & Poultry Fair earlier this year when farmers, industry figures and consumers were asked to vote on whether they thought price was the most important thing to shoppers – whilst 92% of farmers and 82% of industry figures thought it was, only 39% of consumers agreed. I believe all of us could have told farmers the reason for these stats and the answer was pushed home when they were asked “Which of the following do you feel is most important to shoppers? Rearing method, local produce, environmental impact or added health benefits? An impressive 63% of consumers voted for rearing method as being the most important factor – just what we want to hear! Unsurprisingly 100% of farmers and industry figures agreed that increased poultry feed costs etc, should be spread across the supply chain, including the consumer. The surprise to farmers was that 84% of consumers agreed! Evidence that perhaps we’re finally beginning to understand and accept our role in the food supply chain, let’s hope so. I hope the BHWT’s influence has slowly brought more understanding to what makes the caged industry tick. Perhaps having a clearer vision of our role in the production of food, as well as a closer connection through our gorgeous girls, we can see how putting blame and criticism aside, it is possible to work towards a mutually beneficial goal. It’s what I love most about the BHWT, everyone benefits – we enjoy more ethically produced eggs, the farmers benefit from our support & loyalty and our dear girls – well you know the benefits of fresh air and sunshine!

Gaynor Davies recently joined Hen Central in Devon, as well as helping me care for the 100+ feathered oddbods that amble in their wonky fashion around North Parks, Gaynor also deals with countless hen enquiries by phone and email. Here is just a few she has recently dealt with that made us giggle:

AMUSING ANSWERS!

“I’d like three hens please.” “What sort of house do you have?” “A bungalow with three bedrooms, dear...is that alright?” Gaynor was tempted to ask if that would be a bedroom each then!

“My neighbour’s got some battery hens. This can’t be right – you tell me if this is right – one of ‘em’s just laid an egg!” “My hens have just stopped laying and rattling a roasting tin has made no difference whatsoever!”

Gaynor helps out on re-homing days too and knew the girls she was placing into snug straw filled crates were going to a good home as each hen was given a carefully chosen name by her kindly new owner ... Henrietta, …Ethel, …Peggy, …Mabel, …Agatha ... Glockenspiel ...Glockenspiel?! Quizzical looks gained no explanation and he continued ... Marjory, … Esmerelda, …Hermione and so on! We could only hope that Glockenspiel would not be forever weighed down by her new moniker!

THE BRITISH LION CODE The British Lion you see on shop bought eggs gives you information about the production method of the eggs and is proof that you’re eating a British egg. 3 = a caged egg, 2 barn, 1 free range and 0 organic. However, there is currently no means of knowing where egg ingredients used in processed foods such as albumen, dried egg etc, have been sourced. To give you an example, you could be tucking into a British made cake that contains dried egg that could have been laid by caged hens in India and, yes, we do currently import dried egg from India! Dan Hart knows th at th e av erage which is investing heavily in improved This completely takes away our right to choose, it’s a threat to the British egg industry ex-b at lady will jump thro systems and it’s most certainly not fair to the hens beyond the shores of the EU ugwho h we are unable to reach with welfare s for aputting tastyup controls. I’ve mentioned before that the Ukraine ho is op currently woour rm!old caged systems as fast as our farmers are pulling them down! And we’ve had enquiries in a similar vein to this one below which came from Papua New Guinea of all places: From: Rueben Sent: 09 July 2009 10:19 To: [email protected] Subject: Battery Cages supply Dear sir or Madam, I am interested to know of whom I shall contact to obtain a viable information of how I could work through to Battery cages pricing and other import information. Please could anyone your end be a help to me? Thanks, Reuben Legally we cannot prevent eggs coming into the UK on welfare grounds and this is why it’s ever more important that food manufacturers commit to using British eggs so we can be sure we are purchasing food produced to ethical standards. It’s with this labelling issue in mind that I move onto my next piece of news …

I have always felt incredibly blessed when it comes to building a strong team and Dave Neale, who contacted me last year, is another example of the high calibre volunteer we’re proud to welcome on board. Dave has a wealth of experience in the political scene and loves nothing more than digesting legislation and building strategies that work. Our core aim to build a bridge between welfare and commerce, in a nutshell, is right up Dave’s street! Here’s Dave’s report on his first assignment for the BHWT ... at London Zoo with David Cameron: In early September I was invited to attend a David Cameron speech on animal welfare to discuss policy under a future Conservative government. The event was hosted at London Zoo. The focus was farm animal welfare in the UK and David Cameron made reference to the forthcoming 2012 ban on the conventional ‘battery’ cage across the EU. He also discussed the Conservative Party’s concerns regarding the potential impact the ban will have on UK and EU farmers. The production of battery eggs in non-EU countries is likely to be cheaper than in the UK where farmers have invested heavily in higher welfare systems. The consequence could be increased imports of battery eggs and cramped conditions for millions more hens outside the EU. Of course we welcome the development of stricter welfare legislation for egg laying hens, but we also want to see farming remain strong here where there is a desire to improve welfare standards. The alternative to high welfare here is increased production in eastern European and Asian countries which often lack basic animal welfare legislation. We would like to see the Conservative Party support the following measures: 1.

2.

Production method labelling for food products containing eggs. This will allow consumers to choose high welfare foods which contain egg derivatives, such as cakes & pastries and choose not to buy products which contain eggs from battery caged hens raised outside Europe The introduction of a code ‘4’ to differentiate shell eggs produced in enriched cages from those produced in conventional ‘battery’ cages (code 3) on non-EU farms.

I spoke to the Shadow Secretary of State for DEFRA, Nick Herbert MP on these issues and he gave initial support for our campaigns. I have now written to Nick Herbert and await further official endorsment for our initiatives - welfare improvements for egg laying hens and support for UK egg farmers. I’ll keep you up to date. Dave Neale.

GUARDIAN LLAMAS – BEST FRIENDS FOR HENS by Michelle Garner

Olga and Jane

So you want some hens, but have a family of foxes next door? You have a large flock and can’t keep them in a secure run? Your land makes electric fencing difficult and unreliable? Ever thought of llamas? Well first let’s get this one out of the way, no, they don’t spit UNLESS you are a vet sticking a needle in. A llama that spits randomly without provocation has had bad experiences with people and this is unusual. Llamas (and smaller cousins, alpacas) are members of the camel family originating from South America. The alpaca is bred primarily for its fleece, but they make excellent guardians for your hens too. Llamas can be kept out all year although would appreciate some simple field or natural shelter offering protection from wet or hot weather. They are hardy and generally healthy, needing the same vaccinations as goats and sheep. They have soft padded feet, can live for 20+ years and eat less weight for weight than a sheep with the added bonus they don’t usually need shearing. It is important to do some research and visit websites such as the British Llama Society which has links to breeders all over the country. Although ‘pet’ llamas should be kept in groups of at least two, the guardian llama works alone, being brought up to consider the hens, sheep or other animals in his field to be his ‘herd’. The guardian llama is a gelded male, which has been brought up with other llamas to be friendly yet respectful towards people and other livestock including familiar dogs. He will keep his charges in sight and if a predator such as a fox or an unknown dog comes onto his territory he will approach with his head held low to the ground, gathering speed as he approaches. This is usually enough to send the predator packing, but if the llama gets close enough they will strike with their front legs and can make unique growling and gurgling noises. I have two llamas and have seen them chase foxes and a dog from their field. They take a great deal of interest in the hens who in turn take delight in chasing the llamas as much as the llamas try to herd the hens! Llamas are great as pets, but aren't cuddly and tolerate physical contact with people rather than enjoy it. They can be aloof, yet inquisitive and gentle, are fun to take for walks and generally walk well on a lead. Want to know more? You will discover a whole community of llama keepers out there who have been keeping these wonderful animals a big secret! For more information, please contact www.britishllamasociety.org

We get a lot of support from young ex-bat keepers and love to hear the tales and antics of their hens. And sometimes we hear from young people simply bursting to join our ‘crusade’ ... and Jessica Jones is one of them, here’s what she wrote recently:

“Dear Sir/Madam

I am a 10 yr old pupil from Wales and am VERY, VERY, VERY cross about caged hens. One day I went to school in a chicken outfit with banners and broken cages! I am only young but am determined to STOP CAGING HENS! I am planning to write to Barack Obama and Gordon Brown to stop caging. Please can you send me some banners and posters to hang up. I have made £10.15 with my outfit and have sent it with this letter.

Jessica Jones

Yours sincerely, Jessica Jones PS My friend Lucy helped me a lot too. PPS I also attach my petition.“ (signed by pupils and teachers)

Jessica Jones – you remind me of me a long time ago! We’ll put a smile on your face, arm you with positive campaign materials, point you in the right direction and then let you loose on the world! Matthew Mayell wrote an email recently jam packed with excitement and enthusiasm, here’s what he’s doing with the leaflets and posters we sent him:

“Hi, it’s Matthew. Thanks a lot for the posters and flyers! I’ve put one poster on my wall and some keys on my keyring – duh! Everything arrived today in a funny looking tube! Some of my friends at school are showing a big interest in what I’m doing – as well as a couple of teachers and work assistants! Apart from our coop, my Dad is thinking of making some changes to the big shed at the end of our garden so that we could have more exbattery hens in the near future.

Olga and Jane

Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward

Thanks again. Matthew Mayell (aged 12).” When we told Matthew that we’d like to include a piece about him in our newsletter he responded with

“My friends would be truly 'gob-smacked' to see me in their favourite newsletter!”

Mathew Mayell

Matthew now has a Justgiving page with a fundraising target of £15; he provides lots of information about the charity and this is his message to those that sponsor him:

“There's nothing better than seeing a rescued hen standing and glancing at the sky for the very first time, at the very beginning of her new free-range retirement! Thank you - Matthew.” Well done Matthew, keep up the good work young man.

1. Between 800-1,000 MILLION laying hens are kept in China, the majority are in cages. 2. Did you know the tiny blood spots sometimes found in eggs are also known as meat spots. Most commonly located in the albumen they are occasionally found on an egg yolk too. Contrary to popular opinion, these tiny spots do not indicate a fertilized egg, they are caused by the rupture of a blood vessel on the yolk surface during formation of the egg or by a similar accident in the wall of the oviduct. Less than 1% of all eggs produced have blood spots and although most eggs with blood spots are removed in the packing process, it is impossible to catch all of them. As an egg ages, the yolk takes up water from the albumen to dilute the blood spot so, in actuality, a blood spot indicates the egg is fresh. Both chemically and nutritionally, these eggs are fit to eat. The spot can be removed with the tip of a knife, if you wish. 3. The breed of hen directly influences the colour of the egg shell she lays. It is estimated that 50% of eggs produced in the world are brown and 50% are white!

LOSE THE NEWS! Play your part... PLEASE don’t just

throw away your newsletter - hand it to a friend, a work colleague or a family member. If you don’t have any of those, leave it in a doctor’s surgery, a vet practice or pet shop. Please ask permission first and please always Keep Britain Tidy, but if your simple action resulted in a few more hens being adopted or someone changing their shopping habits – think how pleased you’d be. DONT FORGET!

“ “Mmm nice flooring, though I must say I prefer shavings myself” says Lesley Lucas’ hen Maisie.

With the chilly weather outside, these girls decide that indoors is the place to be!

“OK so who used all the bubble bath?” Jean Hawthorn's hen Dippy fancies a relaxing soak

“Can someone shut the door please ...its a bit drafty here!” say Sally Hawkins hens Dusty and Dixie

“I’m just plumping up your cushions” says Danielle Wards hen Belina!

A very posh hen don't you think! Kim Hardy’s hen Byriani enjoys the royal treatment!

HOME TO ROOST! Another fab photo from our very own Co-ord, Fi Gibson. Very spoilt girls!

“ Could you bring me a cup of tea please...?” Andrea Newbury’s hen Heather makes herself at home!

Sally Lillington's girls checking out the nice warm conservatory.

M Maria Tudor’s hen Kevin ( yes Kevin!) takes a look at the new fangled dish washing equipment!

Lizzie Wiffin’s hen n Dory takes a bath before retiring to the sofa to watch a spot of telly with rescue dog Grommit!

BHWT Co-ord Fi Gibson’s hen helps herself to lunch!

I was lucky enough to be invited to a Free Range Egg Breakfast held by our lovely patrons, Harbour & Jones, recently in London’s West End. The event was an opportunity for their clients to see a conference facility for which Harbour & Jones provide the catering. I was delighted to be able to represent the Charity and pleased to report we were well received with lots of support for our work from clients. Hidden eggs was naturally a hot topic as we enjoyed a never ending selection of delicious eggy breakfast treats all laid by British hens. I ate the best omelette I have ever tasted!

Harbour & Jones

Eggs in a can? Whatever next and worth a closer look I thought as I know a lot of keen cooks will be trying to save a little time here and there as they make their puds, cakes and mince pies in prep for Christmas. Lakeland are selling a ‘spray’ egg glaze that’s suitable for vegetarians but sadly not made using free range eggs (good on Lakeland for stating this though). Best make a little time and then use a real British free range egg and buy some ready roll pastry instead then!

Cakeadoodledo

What about an alternative to Christmas cake this year? Our lovely supporter, Kate Shirazi – remember her, she’s the one that got some ex-bats, baked some cupcakes to use up the eggs and now has a thriving cupcake business and is currently writing her third baking book – chocolatey version I think! Kate is taking orders right now for Christmas cupcakes. Here’s just a sample of what she does, but do take a look at her website, www.cakeadoodledo.co.uk, ‘cause there’s so much more and it’s ever so pretty! If you’re a traditionalist don’t forget to buy a free range Christmas pud – lots of major supermarkets now offer free range versions and here’s a few other examples for the discerning consumer:

Described as food artistry from the soul, Popina has sumptuous delights available online at www.popina.co.uk. You’ll also find a list of stockists and markets that they attend. Burtree House Farm prides itself on quality and attention to detail with it’s award winning Christmas pud and cakes! The eggs come from their own flock of 700 free range hens. See www.burtreehousefarm.co.uk or email [email protected].

Country Fare has been employing local farmer’s wives and daughters since 1999 and is a member of Made in Cumbria and The Guild of Fine Food Retailers. You’ll also find a list of stockists on their website at www.country-fare.co.uk. Tel: 017683 71173.

Please remember the small independents in your local area and farmers markets too; just ask about the eggs first! Jayne X

PS: If you are a British food manufacturer using free range eggs I’d love to hear from you –contact me at [email protected]

Dave Neale, our new political front man, also seconds as Support Co-ordinator to Michelle Boulton in Cornwall. Dave and his wife, Amanda, regularly roll their sleeves up at a farm and get involved in all aspects of a rehoming day. I meet them both regularly at local farms and despite the busy day we usually manage to find a few moments to have a chat as we work. Dave is UK Director for the Animals Asia Foundation, a Hong Kong based charity whose aim is to end cruelty and restore respect for animals throughout Asia. They campaign to help the bears kept in bile farms, as well as dancing and fighting bears and Dave makes regular trips to meet with government officials and see the bears that have been saved from their miserable life. Dave’s wife, Amanda is an artist and has recently had her work exhibited as part of the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition at The Mall Galleries in London here’s her entry; isn’t this bear beautiful. Amanda met this former ‘dancing bear’ in India and although he is now in a safe haven the emotional damage he suffered is demonstrated by his constant paw sucking and the scarring on his David & Amanda’s pampered hens, nose is a physical reminder Peggy & Lotty of his previous life.

Alison Ingram, works with Sarah Hall & Mel Catley in Sussex and she, too, has an amazing talent; this is one of her ex-bats. Isn’t it a simply beautiful painting. Of course we have our home grown talent in Lisa Pope and you can see her super lovely Christmas card designs at the end of the newsletter along with details of our Christmas 2010 competition.

Remember the wholly happy hens in Cambridge? Well the girls have continued their good works in converting the parish to free range! Here’s the latest from the Reverend Philipa King: A record day yesterday 9 eggs and 7 for each day before that! We are walking a parish pilgrimage tomorrow...eighteen miles from Cambridge to Ely...we're carrying two eggs neatly packaged as presents for the Bishops of Ely and Huntingdon from the holy hens of Cambridge...and the not so holy parishioners and Rector! Sheila has made some cards saying 'With compliments from the wholly happy hens'. The older members of the congregation are disproportionately pleased when they receive a surprise egg and card on their doorsteps...they greet it with more delight than a visit from the Rector...we should just get more hens to do our pastoral visits for us! Kind regards, Philipa Then this arrived: Thought you'd like this...the whole parish has gone 'hen mad' we're having a competition for the best hen song...which will be reverently sang to the hens. This one's from Sheila, my partner in crime and our administrator. Kind regards, Philipa

Well, you can tell by the way I use my cluck I’m a wholly happy hen, ( wholly happy hen) Me and my flock cant believe our luck As our feathers grow again (feathers grow again) And now its all right, its OK We can scratch and run and play. Give us a little pat or a stroke We’ll even lay a double yolk. Whether we’re a broody or whether we’ve just laid We’re stayin’ alive, feelin’ alive. Feel the sun shinin’ and our wings a’ shakin’ And we’re stayin’ alive, feelin’ alive. Cluck, cluck, cluck cluck stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive

EGGSELLENCE AWARD UPDATE As predicted the Eggsellence Award is once again proving popular and Rachel Maycock at Hen Central in Devon has received a flurry of nominations for the Award. We present the successful applicants with a smart certificate and get them local publicity so the surrounding community get to hear about their egg friendly policy. There are a diverse range of nominated companies who have successfully met the Award’s eligibility criteria including eating establishments, catering companies, food manufacturers, cookery schools and guesthouses.

A big ‘congratulations’ is due to the following who have been successful over the past few months:-

GOLD AWARD Craven Cottage Bed & Breakfast, Tintagel, Cornwall Cranks Restaurant, Dartington, Devon Four & Twenty Blackbirds, Tiverton, Devon Manna from Devon, Kingswear, Devon Baumanns Brasserie, Coggeshall, Essex The Rose Inn, Southminster, Essex The Mulberry Tree, Boughton Monchelsea, Kent Coton’s Eatery, Sevenoaks, Kent Humble Pie ‘n’ Mash, Whitby, North Yorkshire The Pink Pig Farm, Scunthorpe, South Humberside Cocoa Loco, West Grinstead, West Sussex Farmhouse Cookery Ltd, Bosham, West Sussex Russells Garden Centre, Birdham, West Sussex

Lucy Medill at GOLD award winning Coton’s Eatery.

Gold for Four & Twenty Blackbirds

All shell eggs used in food products supplied by the above companies have been laid by British free range hens and all other egg products and egg derivatives used as ingredients have been laid by free range hens.

SILVER AWARD bartlett mitchell, Egham, Surrey Cucina Restaurants Ltd, Redbourn, Hertfordshire The Greyhound, Ipswich, Norfolk The Hunters Moon Inn, Llangattock Lingoed, Powys All shell eggs used in food products supplied by the above companies have been laid by British free range hens.

Rachel Maycock presenting Cranks Restaurant with their GOLD award.

Please see our website or contact Rachel Maycock, on 01769 580310 or email [email protected]

THE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE...for hens December 2010 will be the last time any EU farmer, wishing to restock birds for the typical 13 month laying cycle, can place new hens in barren cages. By January 2012 all hens in barren cages will be removed. One of the knock-on effects of the barren cage ban is the need for young pullets to be reared differently so they adapt smoothly to their free range ‘working’ environment when they become mature layers. Pullet rearers ‘train’ young birds to become familiar with the system they will be kept in, for example birds destined for an aviary style free range house which has several levels for the birds to freely move around need to be trained to jump from tier to tier so rearers encourage the young hens to take small steps to reach food and water. By slowly increasing the height the birds gradually build confidence to jump, stimulating muscle growth as they learn. When they are old enough to be moved to their new free range environment they will be well prepared, knowing exactly where food and water can be accessed as well as a quiet and comfortable nest. All they’ll need to discover then is the door that leads to the big outdoors! Lucky hens!

Some of you may have heard rumours that not every hen is a gorgeous cheeky golden-brown Ex Bat, and its true! Each year the Poultry Club of Great Britain holds its National Show (the biggest in the UK) where you can see over 5,000 of the very best examples of the 130 pure breeds of hens and bantams, (plus ducks, geese and turkeys.) The sight of so many fine hens in a myriad of colours, shapes and sizes (along with the sound of several hundred cocks all crowing at once) is quite an experience! If you are thinking of expanding your flock, owners and members of the Breed Clubs will be on hand to give you advice about the different varieties. Some birds will be for sale at the Show, too, and whilst ex-bats will forever be our faves, we all know how addictive hen keeping is! There are dozens of trade stands to browse, (handy as it’s nearly Christmas), offering all manner of chicken keeping equipment, housing, feed, tonics, gifts and books. We’re delighted that for the first time this year, the Poultry Club have invited the BHWT to attend and spread the word about the joy of ex bats, so if you go, please do come over and say "Hello". The Show is held at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, between Warwick and Coventry, CV8 2LZ on Saturday 28th November (10-4pm) and Sunday 29th November (9-2pm). Parking is free and entry is £8 for adults, £5 concessions, £3 under 16's or £20 for families (2 adults and 3 children). For more information on the Show and the valuable work of the Poultry Club visit www.poultryclub.org.

The theme throughout this newsletter has been the effect of our influence and the power of positive campaigning. The ladies at the Upton Women’s Institute did a grand job on illustrating both counts recently when President, Cherry Horner’s daughter re-homed some of our girls. Cherry visited the girls, then read our newsletter from beginning to end and as a result decided to write a little play about the lives of our ex-bats and the work we do, I’ll let Cherry continue from here: “In August we gave a charity cream tea and our acting group, the Potty Players, performed ‘The Hen Party’. One of our members made the effective costumes and my daughter coached our ‘hens’ in movement and noises … which had to be seen to be believed! We have great pleasure in enclosing a photo of Scarlet, Rosemary, Madame de Pompadour and ‘NoKnickers’ (couldn’t resist that name!) together with a cheque for £50 towards carrying on your good work. Sincerely yours, Cherry Horner (Mrs), President.”

By popular request we have decided to include in each issue a simple donation form. If you would like to donate to the BHWT, simply fill in your details below and send it to us. You can see what your donations buy and every penny is welcome.

Battery Hen Welfare Trust STANDING ORDER FORM Your Full Name and Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...Post Code: …………………………………………………………. Phone Number: ………………………. Your Banks Name and Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...Post Code: ……………………………………. Account Number: ……………………………….

Sort Code: …………………………...

Please Pay Lloyds Bank, Barnstaple Branch, (30-90-49), the sum of: £……………… to be credited to the account of “ The Battery Hen Welfare Trust” ( Account No: 02429877) on …………………………...2009 And a like amount thereafter on the same date of each month/quarter/year (please delete as appropriate), until countermanded. Signature: ……………………………….

Date: ……………………………….

Print Name: ……………………………….

To the Bank When making payments please quote “BHWT ref no: …………….In the event of a query, please contact Jules Rogers on 01769 580310.

Pudding Your donation could be worth 25% more … if you are a UK Tax payer, for every £1 you give, the BHWT can receive 25 pence from the Inland Revenue at no extra cost to you. All you need to do is, read and sign the declaration below. Gift Aid Declaration I want HP the charity to treat all donations I have made in the last six years, and all donations I make from the date of this declaration as Gift Aid donations, until I notify you otherwise. I understand that I must pay an amount of United Kingdom income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax that the charity reclaims on my donations in each tax year (currently 25p for each £1 given). Signed: ……………………………….

Date........../........../..........

When completed, please return this form to: The Battery Hen Welfare Trust, North Parks, Chulmleigh, Devon. EX18 7EJ THANK YOU

THANK YOU!

WHAT YOUR DONATIONS PAY FOR:

£25

30L WATER DRINKER

£6

£30

POULTRY CRATE

£300 SMALL HEN HOUSE

£32

POULTRY FEEDER

£500 MEDIUM HEN HOUSE

BALE OF FIRST GRADE SHAVINGS

£11 20KG SACK OF EX-BAT FEED £15 CAT BASKET

£140 CUSTOM MADE TARPAULINS

£900 TRAILER (CARRIES 192 HENS)

We love all the heartwarming stories and kind comments we get from our supporters, here’s just a few that have come in

Dear Ian & Mollie

Rosie’s prize winning eggs!

Just a quick note to let you know that just 8 weeks after getting our 10 rescue hens from you, they won First Prize in the “5 Fresh Eggs” category at our local agricultural show on September 12th. We have never kept hens before and entered as a bit of fun, but were thrilled when our BHWT girls eggs beat nine other entries in this major livestock/agricultural/horticultural show in Herefordshire. Thanks SO much for our lovely girls – they give us a great deal of pleasure and we are spreading the word of the BHWT at every opportunity! Kind regards, Rosie Dixie, Rusty and Ginger

Dear Jane & BHWT I have attached a photo of Dixie, Rusty and Ginger, partaking of one of their favourite pastimes - a mud bath. They get themselves into a filthy state. We are particularly impressed with how they put themselves to bed each evening. From day one as soon as the light fades they disappear into their house and take up their regular sleeping positions. If only the children were so well behaved! Keep up the good work, Very best wishes, Peter and Liz

Lindsey & Neil Mitchell sent some pics of their girls along with the following email:

Hi Michelle. They seem to be night birds and refuse to go to bed until it’s almost dark! They are really charming little characters, we think you do a brilliant job and we LOVE our hens. Thank you. Best wishes, Lindsey & Neil Lindsey and Neil's girls rootling for bugs. Bryn Bella Girls

John Frampton sent us this photo of his wife playing her rendition of Good Night Ladies on the ukulele to the girls, apparently it helped them settle in!

And finally Lizzie Wiffin, who’s clearly got a big soft heart, touched all of us in the office with the photo of her youngest son having a nice chat with one of her much loved girls. Lizzie wrote: “The gorgeous girl in the photo is Henrietta! She is a fab hen, the biggest of the bunch, but a gentle giant....she looks after all the others, is a real sweetie and....would you believe, even more of a chatterbox than me! “ You can see more of Lizzie’s lovely photos in the gallery. On top of being a prolific re-homer of all sorts of animals Lizzie, has kindly offered to help care for some poorlies too. What a nice lady eh!

Henrietta has a nice chat with the youngest member of the Wiffin family

Christmas is coming and we have another selection of lovely henny goodies for you this year. All proceeds go to the BHWT, helping us to help hens. To order:

6 card mixed pack 148mm / 210mm £4.00 (inc VAT ) Please add £1.00 P&P per pack

Website: www.bhwt.org.uk Post: BHWT SHOP Wardington Banbury Oxfordshire OX17 1SD Please make cheques payable to Battery Hen Welfare Trust. Thank you.

Our 2009 Xmas Battery Pack includes: Jute bag Note book Posh Pen Gorgeous Mouse Mat Newsletter

£15.00 (inc VAT)

Please add £2.50 P&P per pack

If you’re good with a camera...and have a particularly gorgeous ex-bat (don't we all!) then how about entering our Christmas Card 2010 competition. We’re looking for lovely seasonal photos of your girls to star in next year’s BHWT Christmas cards. Our two winning entries will receive a BHWT Bumper Battery Pack. Send your entries to [email protected] Entries close April 2010.

Myrtle a very broody lady!

Myrtle

This time we bring you Myrtle, whose bewildered owner Jean wrote her story: “At first I thought it was just coincidence that every time I looked into the hen house Myrtle was comfortably ensconced in a nesting box but by my fifth or sixth visit Myrtle was so far out of the box she appeared to be levitating. “ If you would like to sponsor a hen for yourself or as a present for a friend, please either visit our website or call Ann Osborne on 01189 432693 (9am – 5pm weekdays only please). The pack costs £17.99 and includes a certificate, the hen’s story, two greetings cards by BHWT artist, Lisa Pope, a car sticker, key ring, Newsletter and a six month update on your hen.

AND FINALLY …Hilda HP

I was so touched recently by the story of Hilda and the dedication of Lesley Austin, Essex team, that I thought they both richly deserved the And Finally … slot. Hilda came out of her cage in June 2009 and it was clear this little hen needed specialist care. With 17 years’ vet nursing experience Lesley was just the lady for the job and Hilda’s recovery began. Hilda was completely paralysed (we don’t know how Hilda sustained her injury, but it would be unfair to place blame on the farmer) and unable to control movement in her legs. Fortunately there was little damage to her spirit and Hilda made it clear from the outset she was not missing out on free range retirement! So began Lesley’s two-hourly massage regime – even through the night – with aloe vera gel gently rubbed into Hilda’s weak muscles, she slowly began to show signs of improvement. It is testimony to Lesley and Hilda’s dedication and determination that Hilda is now fully mobile, albeit with an interesting walk. Hilda has even come back into lay … and I bet that first egg was one of the best Lesley had ever tasted! Lovely story, super lady, very lucky hen.