‘Game farms operate to maximise efficiency and profit, the welfare of the birds incarcerated at these places comes a poor second’
An undercover investigation of a UK game-bird farm has revealed animal abuse and neglect according to a report by the Independent.
Advocacy organization Animal Aid secretly filmed thousands of partridges and pheasants on an unnamed game farm, operating outside the village of Brome Street, near Eye in Suffolk, to uncover the horrific reality of the ‘game’ bird breeding industry.
The organisation estimated the farm had 2,600 partridges and 450 pheasants, kept for breeding, after the egg-laying season was over.
‘Direct violation’
It said that conditions at the farm were in direct violation of government welfare rules. The footage captured pairs of partridges kept in rows of “raised laying cages” lacking in any “enrichment”. The stressed birds were seen repeatedly lunging at the cage roofs desperately trying to escape.
Investigators revealed dead birds were seen lying next to the pheasant cages and many female pheasants had “shrouds” fitted over their beaks to stop them from attacking each other. Shrouds are not allowed to be used as a form of bird management according to welfare norms.
According to the advocacy agency, these farms hold game birds known as ‘breeding stock’ – that is, birds who lay eggs, which are then hatched, and the resulting game birds become feathered targets for shooters.
The shooting season for partridges starts on 1 September and the pheasant shooting season starts on 1 October.
‘Ban game-bird cages’
Calling for a ban on game-bird cages, the group said confining birds in crammed cages causes immense suffering and mental trauma. The birds also often hurt their heads when they repeatedly fly upwards into the roofs of laying cages and the mesh flooring injures their feet.
In addition, the cages offer no shelter to the extremes of weather. Investigators recorded temperatures inside the cages ranging between -4.9ºC and 41.2ºC.
‘Welfare of the birds comes a poor second’
Fiona Pereira, of Animal Aid, told the Independent: “Sadly, what we discovered at this establishment is not uncommon.
“Game farms are not inspected by the government agencies unless a complaint has been made, so the industry is virtually unregulated.
“Because game farms operate to maximise efficiency and profit, the welfare of the birds incarcerated at these places comes a poor second.”
The farm has been reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which declared that it would investigate the animal abuse claims highlighted.
To support the animal rights organization and join its petition to ban bird cages, click here.
Share this story to raise awareness for the difficulties faced for animals in the ‘game’ bird breeding industry.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th June 2022
“As the US military continues to seek ways to best support the overall health and diverse needs of its loyal service members, we’re calling on lawmakers to require all branches of the military to provide plant-based MRE options.” The majority of US military members want vegan Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE), according to a new …
Continue reading “81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals”
One more vegan ad banned this week – this time for showing animals in distress
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 9th June 2022
The watchdog banned ads by Vegan Friendly UK and Tesco amid claims of gratuitous violence and misleading information. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned one more vegan TV ad this week over claims that it shows “graphic imagery and gratuitous violence” towards animals. This censure comes on the heels of the UK watchdog banning …
Continue reading “One more vegan ad banned this week – this time for showing animals in distress”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …