In the egg industry, the sex of day-old chicks is determined at the hatchery. Sexing chicks (determining whether they are a hen or a rooster) requires considerable skill and is done at this very early stage to determine their fate
This sorry chain of events starts with a call to the hatchery. Shed one, two and four require 32,000 hens each, shed three requires 16,000, unfortunately, to get those numbers the hatchery will have to incubate over double that because the ratio between male and female is about 50/50 and some female chicks will not be healthy. To put this in to perspective, out of every 14 month batch of 112,000 chicks over 112,000 male and unhealthy chicks will be ground up or gassed.
Once the 112,000 hens are in situ and calculating various figures over a 12 month period, they will produce 33.6 million eggs worth about £5.6m less capital expenses, feed and running costs etc, 5600 tonnes of manure inclusive of 107.69 tonnes of Nitrogen, 29.22 tonnes of Phosphorus and 53.1 tonnes of Potassium.
Considering the UK already throw away 36million eggs every 2 months begs the question of need, economics, social acceptance and sustainability.
Best not hatch in the first place, at least the 112,000 hens will not be subjected to the so called “free range” hell hole for 14 months completely wasting their time due to waste and the other 112,000 males will not suffer the masher or gas.
Please try and support us in this battle
https://www.gofundme.com/stop-the-free-range-egg-farce
Please complain to the Environment agency here
https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/tr13-0az-richland-foods-limited-draft-decision/
Join our Facebook group here