Animal rights group whistleblower exposes alleged cruel treatment of hens at egg farm
A whistleblower connected to an animal rights group has revealed dead chooks lying next to other cramped hens at a Queensland egg farm. WARNING: Graphic images
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A video released by a whistleblower connected to an animal rights group has revealed dead and injured chickens lying among other chooks at an egg farm in Warwick.
The footage, released by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) first shows numerous hens cramped together in cages, many missing feathers as a result of rubbing against the cage wire.
Some of the chooks that die are “left to rot in cages for up to a week,” according to the PETA video.
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PETA spokeswoman Emily Rice said the video footage and photographs were captured earlier in the year at Williams Eggs on Canningvale Road in Warwick.
“Some chickens had been crushed by feeders inside their cages, while the wings of others had become stuck in the cage wiring,” she said.
“Several requests to remove the injured birds from the cages were denied by the farm supervisor and owner, so the birds were left to suffer and die in their cages.”
Feathers and waste is also seen on the floor of the shed.
Ms Rice said consumers should question the conditions depicted in the video.
“Williams Eggs uses the phrase ‘Farm Fresh’ on its cartons, but consumers should look at the photographs and video for themselves and judge how fresh the conditions are for chickens,” she said.
“From the mother hens who are confined to crowded cages or barns to the male chicks who are disposed of by being ground up alive, cruelty to chickens can always be found in the egg industry.”
A complaint was lodged with the RSPCA who referred it to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).
Ms Rice also said keeping “stressed animals in confined spaces” made factory farms breeding grounds for zoonotic viruses, such as COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus.
“A zoonotic coronavirus is believed to have originated in a live-animal market,” she said.
“The Australian poultry industry has experienced several outbreaks of disease, and in fact a free-range farm near Lethbridge in Victoria has recently tested positive for H7N7 avian influenza virus.”
A Biosecurity Queensland spokeswoman said the matter was investigated with no evidence of wrongdoing at the farm.
“An investigation into these allegations commenced on 21 April 2020 and was finalised on 12 June 2020,” she said.
“Based on the information provided, Biosecurity Queensland has no evidence that there have been breaches of the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.”
Repeated phone calls to and messages left for Williams Eggs by the Courier Mail seeking comment have yet to be returned.