Packer pays for pecking study
A new scientific study into the causes of feather pecking in free range and organic layers is being paid for by one of the country's leading egg packers.
Stonegate Farmers are providing full funding—estimated to involve tens of thousands of pounds—for a three year PhD project which will be headed up by renowned expert in laying hen welfare Professor Christine Nicol of Bristol University.
The study will concentrate on Columbian Blacktail hens supplying eggs into Waitrose and Stonegate say that the widespread analysis of a single breed will provide a unique opportunity to study feather pecking on a larger scale and with a greater degree of control than has ever been possible before.
For more than a year Stonegate has had a full time field manager working exclusively with Columbian Blacktail producers in trying to establish the best management techniques to minimise feather pecking. PhD student Sarah Lambton will now put these findings into a scientific context and then further build on them as fieldwork continues.
Richard Kempsey, Stonegate divisional director, said: "We are delighted to launch this research project with Bristol University which will allow research advances to be fed directly back into the Stonegate Columbian Blacktail Guild of Farmers partnership with Waitrose."
Richard Sadler, head of buying at Waitrose commented: "This project is a fabulous demonstration of Waitrose suppliers being at the forefront of animal welfare. The research will provide Stonegate and its Columbian Blacktail egg producers with access to the best scientific data, showing the way to further advance hen welfare improvements. These benefits will be uniquely for hens producing eggs for Stonegate and Waitrose.''
Working closely with Waitrose, Stonegate announced last year that they would be phasing out beak trimming of Columbian Blacktail flocks by the end of 2004 and there are now several flocks on the ground with intact beaks.
Commenting on the results so far Richard Kempsey said he did not underestimate the scale of the task ahead but felt it was vital that the industry started to find some answers if the Government's target for a 2011 ban on beak trimming was to be met.
"Waitrose has taken a very brave decision but it's one that should be applauded as they try to tackle this very difficult welfare issue," said Mr Kempsey.
In another industry-backed move to find some much-needed answers to the pecking problem, packers, breeders and vets along with the Farm Animal Initiative are outlining a substantial Defra LINK sustainable livestock research project titled 'Prediction and Prevention of Injurious Pecking in Laying Hens'.
