This obsession with cheapness makes me sad. Back in the post war years my mum told me that the food budget was a huge part of her housekeeping bill… everything was revered and farmers were paid well for their work. Wish we could go back to this x
As a henwife I agree completely with everything you say. The animal husbandry in these conditions must contribute to the disease perpetuating. Another factor I’ve noticed over the years is that the outbreak areas and timings coincide with the release of imported shoot birds. Shoots are not my cup of tea, and raising extremely stupid birds to be released and shot at is not sport for me, but when we had gamekeepers on estates with rearing sheds caring for their birds there didn’t seem to be such seasonal correlation.
Arguably the most compelling comprehensive description of EGG-GATE.. I buy my eggs from Chatsworth farm shop along with dry cured bacon .. and I now bake my bread recipe from Delia smith 3 ingredients and in Pam Ayers words.. ‘ it’s like biting into a corn / wheat field 🙏🏻 Arthur Parkinson for the Government EGG AMBASSADOR 🕺🏼🤩🙏🏻
Great discussion Arthur. I haven't bought a shop egg for 30 years thanks to keeping my own girls. But the price is way too low and profit for farmers is barely a 1p an egg whereas the retailer and wholesalers take the bulk. But ... over the years I have visited some amazing producers operating small schemes with ultra high welfare with great agroforestry-based ranges that allow the hens to exhibit their natural behaviour. I am biased but most are soil association certified organic. If you are buying in a supermarket and don't know where the eggs have come from, buying organic gives you assurance of high welfare and annual inspections
I keep thinking about how someone complained about the price of your eggs in the honesty box. I think your price was beyond fair, actually, a bargain! If I ever got a chance to buy your eggs at that price i would be ecstatic. I would treasure every moment of your eggs because I know all the love and care that you put into them. In the US, I routinely pay almost $1 an egg to get ones that are pastured and from regenerative farms. And just saying, I'm not complaining about it!
Thank you Arthur for being honest about your own position on countryside matters. It’s so important for people to realise you can support British farming but not poor farm practices! I imagine it’s Cacklebean that you are going to discuss? Short of having your own flock, they do seem to have animal welfare at the heart of their enterprise. I used to work at a school where we were part of a scheme that took their pullet eggs - 30 for £4 I think it was as otherwise they would be thrown away as none of their buyers would take them because they were too small. Madness!
That is sad. I think the word ‘euthanize’ makes it sound far less horrific than it is. ‘Kill’ or ‘slaughter’, I think, brings the awful truth to the fore.
I kept three rare breed hens in Devon when I lived there. They were astonishingly good layers (all year, even in the snow!). Sometimes we just had too many eggs but no one would buy them at a reasonable price. I ended up giving boxes of 6 away to friends.
I loved my hens, named after revolutionary left wing women heroines: Rosa (Luxemburg), Emily (Pankhurst) and Alexandra (Kollentai). No hope of hens here in Bristol. Far too many foxes. 🦊
Great post Arthur. I'm in western Massachusetts. I've raised chickens since the 1980's and I love my backyard birds. You are right - they are not cheap to raise and I appreciate you spelling it out for your readers. In the late 90's, 50 pounds of non-organic chicken feed was $6. Now it is $18. I've cut down my numbers of chickens. I hadn't renewed my flock for at least 6 years and the girls were still laying. Last spring I got 9 chicks (3 each Silver Laced Wyandotte, Columbian Rock Cross, and Olive Egger) and I'm psyched that some are now laying. I'm worried about the bird flu but we'll cross that bridge if it comes. My chickens live in a wooden shed with an enclosed run because there are just too many critters making them lunch - coyotes, foxes, bobcats, racoons, possums, hawks, etc. Thanks for your newsletter. It's lovely. (I just discovered it.) Best wishes for 2025.
Thank you Arthur for setting this out so clearly.
This obsession with cheapness makes me sad. Back in the post war years my mum told me that the food budget was a huge part of her housekeeping bill… everything was revered and farmers were paid well for their work. Wish we could go back to this x
As a henwife I agree completely with everything you say. The animal husbandry in these conditions must contribute to the disease perpetuating. Another factor I’ve noticed over the years is that the outbreak areas and timings coincide with the release of imported shoot birds. Shoots are not my cup of tea, and raising extremely stupid birds to be released and shot at is not sport for me, but when we had gamekeepers on estates with rearing sheds caring for their birds there didn’t seem to be such seasonal correlation.
Beautifully written. X
Arguably the most compelling comprehensive description of EGG-GATE.. I buy my eggs from Chatsworth farm shop along with dry cured bacon .. and I now bake my bread recipe from Delia smith 3 ingredients and in Pam Ayers words.. ‘ it’s like biting into a corn / wheat field 🙏🏻 Arthur Parkinson for the Government EGG AMBASSADOR 🕺🏼🤩🙏🏻
Great discussion Arthur. I haven't bought a shop egg for 30 years thanks to keeping my own girls. But the price is way too low and profit for farmers is barely a 1p an egg whereas the retailer and wholesalers take the bulk. But ... over the years I have visited some amazing producers operating small schemes with ultra high welfare with great agroforestry-based ranges that allow the hens to exhibit their natural behaviour. I am biased but most are soil association certified organic. If you are buying in a supermarket and don't know where the eggs have come from, buying organic gives you assurance of high welfare and annual inspections
Well said :)
I keep thinking about how someone complained about the price of your eggs in the honesty box. I think your price was beyond fair, actually, a bargain! If I ever got a chance to buy your eggs at that price i would be ecstatic. I would treasure every moment of your eggs because I know all the love and care that you put into them. In the US, I routinely pay almost $1 an egg to get ones that are pastured and from regenerative farms. And just saying, I'm not complaining about it!
Thank you Arthur for being honest about your own position on countryside matters. It’s so important for people to realise you can support British farming but not poor farm practices! I imagine it’s Cacklebean that you are going to discuss? Short of having your own flock, they do seem to have animal welfare at the heart of their enterprise. I used to work at a school where we were part of a scheme that took their pullet eggs - 30 for £4 I think it was as otherwise they would be thrown away as none of their buyers would take them because they were too small. Madness!
Really hard to find organic/ free range pasture raised eggs at the moment. The best, Heritage Eggs with blue or deep chocolate shells, none.
Last week eggs were $16.99 a dozen, lower this week. Bought Burford Eggs in Fortnums when I was in England last year. Nothing here compares.
Well said Arthur. Keep speaking up!
Well said! I'd buy your eggs at whatever price!
Sadly...this :(. https://abcnews.go.com/US/long-island-farm-forced-euthanize-100000-ducks-after/story?id=118015774
That is sad. I think the word ‘euthanize’ makes it sound far less horrific than it is. ‘Kill’ or ‘slaughter’, I think, brings the awful truth to the fore.
I kept three rare breed hens in Devon when I lived there. They were astonishingly good layers (all year, even in the snow!). Sometimes we just had too many eggs but no one would buy them at a reasonable price. I ended up giving boxes of 6 away to friends.
I loved my hens, named after revolutionary left wing women heroines: Rosa (Luxemburg), Emily (Pankhurst) and Alexandra (Kollentai). No hope of hens here in Bristol. Far too many foxes. 🦊
Great post Arthur. I'm in western Massachusetts. I've raised chickens since the 1980's and I love my backyard birds. You are right - they are not cheap to raise and I appreciate you spelling it out for your readers. In the late 90's, 50 pounds of non-organic chicken feed was $6. Now it is $18. I've cut down my numbers of chickens. I hadn't renewed my flock for at least 6 years and the girls were still laying. Last spring I got 9 chicks (3 each Silver Laced Wyandotte, Columbian Rock Cross, and Olive Egger) and I'm psyched that some are now laying. I'm worried about the bird flu but we'll cross that bridge if it comes. My chickens live in a wooden shed with an enclosed run because there are just too many critters making them lunch - coyotes, foxes, bobcats, racoons, possums, hawks, etc. Thanks for your newsletter. It's lovely. (I just discovered it.) Best wishes for 2025.