More than 850 million chickens are slaughtered in the UK, every year. More than 95% of those are reared inside sheds that are enclosed. As the birds start to grow, they have less and less room to roam or even stretch their wings. A typical shed holds 40,000 birds. They never get to leave the sheds and they never see natural light.
Whilst I’m not a vegetarian, I just don’t see how anyone can think that this is acceptable treatment of an animal. A chicken should live outside – it’s only natural. Free range chickens have space to roam outside, play and they can go inside if they wish.
Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall is behind The Chicken Out! Campaign which is demanding higher welfare conditions for chickens farmed in the UK and fairer conditions for the farmers that rear them. You can read more about the campaign and the changes Hugh is looking for here. Unfortunately it would appear that the supermarkets don’t share his concerns when it comes to the welfare of chickens. It has been reported that Tesco are demanding a staggering £86,000 for Hugh to put his concerns to their shareholders. You can read through the articles on the Chicken Out! Press Page.
It only takes a few moments, so I’d urge you to follow the simple instructions and put your support behind the campaign.
