I make that just under 9.

We cannot understand where this chap got his figures from, but as you can see, it's totally wrong Jezer.

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Life is a bowl of cherries!

Ollie, out of interest do you work to the industry standard figures or do you just work it out yourself? I know it sounds like a silly question but I am interested. They were working from industry standard guidelines and with a stockmen so how could they get it wrong?

My Husband and his Assistant Manager work out the figures themselves, as neither they, nor I agree with the industry standard guidelines mate. My husband may be employed by one of the Poultry firms, but is actually left to rear these birds at his own specifications. As long as the birds' are not in the environment we all saw on these programmes, and the end result is happy, healthy birds',then the firm is happy!

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Life is a bowl of cherries!

Well that is good!!

It is good to know that some people care and that your hubby is allowed some leeway.

Can you not put a big sign up for the protesters saying "Just because Hugh did it, doesn't mean we all do!"

I would say though that your approach is rare? Or am I completely wrong with that?!

I saw Hugh F-W on 'The One Show' and he was saying that EU legislation will allow higher densities of birds per sq. metre. Still, even at 9 per sq. metre it's hardly 'free range' is it?
And that by the way at 1.1. birds per sq. foot works out at 11.6 birds per sq. metre.

Whether Hugh F-W manages to do anything about factory farming or not is now purely acedemic. The Government are banning the use of Battery farming techniques within four years. It is going to put up the price of eggs and chickens so the days of cheap chicken meat and eggs look to be on their way out.

BBC NEWS | UK | Battery farm eggs banned by 2012

I only buy free range or organic eggs to (and before anyone says anything, I don't have as much money as HFW). I think this is a great move by the government I really do.

Off topic slightly but I'd love to see the tax return from that kebab shop manager who reckoned that he would have to charge £10 more for the equivalent free-range kebab. Somehow I don't think he does his own accounts.

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Pone ubi sol non lucet!

You might notice that the proposed ban will only affect eggs and not factory farmed chickens...which don't get much more floor space than a hen producing eggs. BTW, lest anyone think that I'm an avid Animal Rights campaigner, I'm not..I go out shooting pheasants, partridges and hares. I just happen to think that factory farming..of any animal..is wrong and cruel.