Telegraph magazine today

[AnnaB]

Free ranging hens must have at least half their life with daytime access to open air runs.
Housed indoors 12 birds to 1 sq mt is allowed

Caged hens A4 (550cmsq) piece of paper to each bird
New ruling by 2012 this will increase to 750cm sq

Compassion in World Farming states cages fail to meet the behavioural and physiological needs of the animal and therefore cause suffering

RSPCA says beak trimming is permitted in the Freedom Food range but is contrary to its core principles and plans to phase it out.

Organic eggs Have least impact on the land due to lower stocking densities. Organic feed - less environmental impact
The Soil Association has the highest standards of any organic certification

So from 2012 the girls will have 1 1/2 A4 sheets of paper, access to a shared nest box a perching space and a scratching area

Why if beak trimming is against core principles do they condone it

If our girls stop laying we will buy soil association certified eggs or go without.

Aren't we all very glad we have our own girls.

[wendy]

Most definately Anna.
If you and I kept out hens like that we would be in trouble, but because the are farm animals they can do it. I will never understand that one.
Wendy