Laurel and Hardy two cockerels at the GSPCA in need of a home say 'Please choose free range eggs for your pancakes'
Submitted by GSPCA on 16:43, 12th Feb, 2013 |
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Laurel and Hardy are two cockerels at the GSPCA in need of a new home and they are asking everyone to please choose free range eggs for your pancakes.
As a consumer you have the power to help improve animals lives. The GSPCA believes in the five freedoms for all animals and by choosing free range eggs you can help the welfare of these birds.
Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment
Freedom to express normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind
Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering
We are also happy to report that there are many hen owners in Guernsey that look after their hens very well and enjoy fresh free range eggs from their very own back garden.
In 2011 the proportion of eggs produced in these different systems in the UK was:
49 per cent of eggs produced in battery cages
4 per cent in barn systems
47 per cent in free-range systems (of which 3 per cent were organic systems).
It is estimated that half of the 34 million hens in the UK are caged birds.
Do you know what the labels mean?
Eggs from caged birds - please don't buy
Even with improvements from the EU with caged birds these hens are unable to carry out their natural behaviour being kept in small groups in wire cages.
Barn
These hens are kept in flocks in barns where they have room to roost, exercise and move around. They have nest boxes to lay and areas where they can scratch.
Free-Range
Like the barn method these birds have similar housing but are also allowed to go outside during the daytime.
Organic
These hens not only get a life similar to the Free-Range hens but are governed by additional legislation.
Did you know the first number printed on an egg tells you from what type of housing your hen has had?
0 - Organic
1 - Free-Range
2 - Barn
3 - Eggs from caged birds
Many supermarkets acknowledge the growing trend towards ethical eating and as well as offering free range shell eggs, offer processed food products containing free range eggs or egg derivatives.
Many supermarkets are now producing products with caged free hens. Eggs are often found in products from ice-cream to sandwiches, cakes to quiches, and many more. In Guernsey some of these include Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and the Co-op but please always read the label.
Please support these hen friendly supermarkets, take the time to tell a member of staff that is why you choose to shop there or fill in a customer comments form so you can be sure that management get to hear your views.
The GSPCA often have hens and cockerels in need of new and loving homes and Laurel and Hardy are two birds currently that were only chicks when they first arrived at the Shelter. If you can offer these two lovely birds a new home please get in touch on 01481 257261 or pop into the Shelter in St Andrews.
The British Hen Welfare Trust have helped over 350,000 caged birds find homes after the commercial laying hens are no longer needed by the farmers and do a wonderful job networking in the UK to help promote and improve their welfare. Click here to see their website.
Here is a short video of Laurel and Hardy when they were only weeks old.
If you would like to donate to the GSPCA and help us care for animals in Guernsey by you can do so by calling into the Shelter, over the phone on 01481 257261 or by clicking the Paypal button below.
To see the story of Jethou Bumblebee the grey seal pup please check out this short video from start to finish on how staff rescued him with a lot of help.
To nominate an amazing animal, a special person (in secret!) who has dedicated time to them or any inspirational animal story for the The British Animal Honours 2013, then please go to http://www.itv.com/beontv/british-animal-honours/
There are always animals at the GSPCA looking for good homes from farm birds to rabbits and to see many of them please click here. Felix in the video is our longest stay cat and really needs your help to find a new home.
There are many items on the GSPCA's Wish List and you can see many of them by clicking here including a list of Amazon items which would make a difference to animals in Guernsey.
To download our latest newsletter or become a member of the GSPCA please
The following are events planned for 2013
GSPCA Purple Week - Coffee Morning & Bric-A-Brac Monday to Friday 10am-12pm next week at the GSPCA - & appeal for Bric-A-Brac - click here for details
Every Tuesday during term time between 10.30am and 12pm at the GSPCA we have a coffee morning with bric-a-brac and pet supplies on sale. Please click here for more details
GSPCA Purple Week - Celebrating 140 years Caring for Animals in Guernsey. Would you like to join in 11th -17th February? Please click here for more details.
The GSPCA are pleased to announce our GSPCA Sunday Family Fun Lunch on the 3rd March - click here for more details
4th April - World Stray Day - more details to follow
Saturday 8th June 2013 Itex Walk Guernsey - We are pleased that for 2013 we are one of the nominated charities benefiting from this years walk. To register and find out more click here for more details.
June 2013 - Summer Fayre and Dog Show - more details to follow
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