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Auckland Animal Action (AAA) have received a tip off from
animal rights activists about the welfare of hens at a Battery Egg Farm
located at 757 Glenbrook Road (corner of Kingseat Road), Glenbrook, south
of Auckland.
"AAA was informed, in detail, of the horrific conditions
which these hens have been subjected to at this particular farm and we
have received extensive photographs and video footage taken yesterday
morning (11.2.04), which was obtained by the activists." says Deidre
Sims, AAA spokesperson.
"Inside the shed, long rows of tiered small wire cages,
were filled with the decomposing bodies of thousands of hens which had
obviously starved to death due to an inadequate food supply and the complete
lack of drinking water. Live, emaciated hens shared their cages with
their dead companions. Other live sickly hens were loose
inside the building as well as outside the property. Dozens of rats, were
all over the premises, many were seen inside the cages living off
the dead birds. Heaped piles of the putrid, rotting bodies of hens where
found throughout the building. The flooring was covered in excrement which
was, in some places, several inches thick."
In the video footage and photographs obtained, a large box
which is labeled "Handle with care: Property of Mainland Poultry Ltd" can
be clearly seen.
Footage also includes activists rescuing birds. Fourty four
sick, emaciated hens were rescued by the activists and have been placed
in loving homes and are receiving veterinary care.
"As an organisation of people deeply concerned with the
welfare and rights of animals, we were sickened and appalled while watching
the video footage of the horrendous conditions within this farm and at
the extreme and unnecessary suffering which these hens have endured and
some still continue to endure. This farm is clearly in violation of the
five basic requirements of the Codes of Welfare for Layer Hens which are
that, hens must be free from thirst, hunger and malnutrition, that there
must be provision of appropriate comfort and shelter, that there must
be prevention of injury, disease or infection, that the hens must be free
from distress and that they must have the ability to display natural patterns
of behavior."
Photographs attached and video footage available on request.
For further information, contact Deirdre Sims, AAA spokesperson,
0211847456
Photos: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
United Poultry Concerns, Inc.
PO Box 150
Machipongo, VA 23405-0150
757-678-7875
FAX: 757-678-5070
www.upc-online.org
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