The ‘Maintaining feather cover in laying hens‘ report is the culmination of a two-and-a-half year Defra funded project through the EIP, to explore ways of improving flock management, reducing injurious pecking in laying flocks and enhancing the welfare of laying hens and pullets.
Results from a 2-year study by the UK’s Laying Hen Welfare Forum (LHWF) show that a new approach – known as Motivational Interviewing (MI) – has encouraged farmers to take ownership of the issue.
The results are important as the LHWF work is to support laying hen producers to manage Injurious pecking and maintain good feather cover within their flocks. The government potential is to phase out Infra Red Beak Treatment so that the industry can possibly move to managing flocks with intact beaks.
The full report can be found on this website and additionally on EIP- AGRI https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/node
The LHWF consists of the following Operational Group:
Andrew Joret (Chairman) – BEIC
Mark Williams – BEIC
Robert Gooch – BFREPA
Stephen Lister – Poultry Veterinary Surgeon
Aimee Mahony – NFU
Claire Weeks – University of Bristol
Jessica Stokes – Royal Agricultural University
Kate Norman – RSPCA representative
David Brass – The Lakes Free Range Egg Company
Mike Tyres – Stonegate Farmers representative
Defra representative
AHPA representative
Great News for the LHWF 1st International Electronic Conference Animals Best Presentation Award-Winner
Posted on: 12 May 2021
Great News for the LHWF 1st International Electronic Conference Animals Best Presentation Award-Winner
Posted on:
Maintaining Feather Cover in Laying Hens
LHWF hails ‘remarkable response’ from producers in implementing new ideas
New report on Agricultural Productivity
Yorkshire Egg Producers discuss feather cover
Further drop in antibiotic use and resistance
Large turnout for LHWF speakers in Wales
Beak Trimming – Second Biennial report of Laying Hen Welfare Forum