Chicken city! Proposed poultry project in Grimsby-area village could house up to 64,000 laying hens

                                                                     

Population of humans in Healing could be outstripped by egg-laying hens if project is approved 

AS many as 64,000 egg-laying hens could be housed on farmland outside Healing if planners give the green light.

Sir Richard Sutton Estates have applied  to build a giant poultry unit on land at Wells Farm off Wells Road on the outskirts of the village as an 'agricultural diversification initiative'. 

Say the agents: "The building would be subdivided into four bird housing sections, together with a central area for egg packing and storage. 

"The central packing area would include an automated egg packer and an egg storage area. 

"The proposed bird housing areas include a multi-tier system, which includes rows of tiered perches, which are situated over manure belts. 

"The designated bird areas include automated chain feeders and non-drip nipple drinkers.  

"Following laying, the eggs roll from the nest box on to the conveyor which delivers them to the packing area."

What about the welfare and happiness of the hens?

Computer-controlled ventilation fans would be installed and 'pop holes', automatically-operated between 8am and dusk, would provide the birds with free access to an external pasture surrounded by trees.

Here they would be able to scratch for insects and stretch their legs and wings 

The report continues: "The use of the development will be for the accommodation of free-range laying hens. 

"The proposed development will operate in accordance with the British Egg Industry Councils Lion Code of Practice and in accordance with the RSPCA Freedom Foods charter.  

"The bird would be purchased at point of lay (17 weeks) and delivered to the site. 

"The birds would be  accommodated within the free-range egg unit for 70 weeks, following which they are to be removed and replaced." 

If approved, the operation will require will require four  full-time staff  as well as generating work for delivery drivers.

The site will also require quarterly visits from both vets and farm assurance inspectors.  

The application is currently under consideration by planners at North East Lincolnshire Council.

The Grimsby News says: "It is good that the hens will have somewhere to stretch their leg and wings, but the project still seems exploitative. Presumably, after 87 weeks, the hens will be culled, hopefully using a  pain-free method. What will happen to the corpses? Something not pleasing to dwell on.