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Direct Action

Animal Liberation groups in several states have entered sheds to expose the cruelty of battery cages. In 1991 Pam Clarke in Tasmania brought charges against the Golden Egg farm after she purchased several hens in bad condition and took photos and video footage there. As a result, Magistrate Philip Wright found Golden Egg farm guilty of 7 counts of cruelty to hens in February 1993.

Happy Hen farm in Victoria has been visited 13 times over several years by Patty Mark and other Victorian animal liberationists. On each occasion dead, sick and injured birds have been removed from cages.

In October 1995, a group entered the huge Parkwood Eggs complex in the ACT. They removed 10 dead hens and 22 live ones, 12 of which were in such bad condition they had to be euthanased. In June 1996 a further 6 birds were removed. The vet who examined them said:
"...the husbandry of these birds indicates neglect and failure to detect and treat sick and injured birds."

In April 1999 activists again entered the Parkwood Eggs complex, where they observed 70 sick hens and many breaches of the Code of Practice. In spite of photos, video footage, statements from 30 witnesses, and 3 vet reports based on autopsies and examinations of sick hens, no charges have been laid against the owners.

In July 1999 a small team of activists entered a battery shed in the Hunter Valley of NSW. This raid, together with one in SA (see below) featured in a graphic and shocking segment on the TV programme "Today Tonight". This is part of the team leader’s description of the shed:
"Dead hens littered the area around the sheds. Inside we found dead hens in various states of decay in cages, on cages, and on top of cages, some were almost mummified. ... In the cages there were many sick and dying hens. One, suffering breathing difficulties, died in front of the cameras. ... we found hens suffering from respiratory conditions, dermatitis, fungal infections of the throat and mouth, paralleled limbs, nonspecific respiratory complaints, malnutrition and gross cancerous tumours.

Their cages were filthy and covered with cob webs, hens nested on, and in, their dead companions. Many cages contained four hens, a flagrant breach of the Code of Practice. Three quarters of the cages had only one water nipple. The water sources were malfunctioning, many hens were freezing cold after being sprayed with water."

Inspection of Golden Eggs in SA

The following is a description of this action from the President of Animal Liberation SA, Necia Page:
" In the cold early hours of Monday August 2 1999, Animal Liberation raided the Golden Eggs battery cage farm at Angle Vale. In so doing we exposed the most atrocious conditions under which any animal could live. We found dead and dying hens, hens with so many feathers rubbed or pecked off they were almost bald, exposing red sore skin where their feathers should have been. We also observed hens with lacerations and scabs on their backs, and deformed feet due to the wire cages. They were packed so tightly that we couldn’t see the floor of the cage.

We used to say that battery caged hens lived on the area of an A4 size sheet of paper - no more, these birds had about the area of an A5 sheet. The hen shed itself was full of cobwebs - it had apparently not been cleaned for years. There were "ropes" of cobwebs everywhere, some even hanging from cages. The stench of ammonia from the droppings was overpowering.

After the rescuers had been in the shed for a while, we organised for a media crew to film the conditions. Meanwhile we called the RSPCA and tried (unsuccessfully) to get them to join us in the investigation. Our name, phone number and message were taken, and it was suggested that we call back during business hours.

We then called the police, asking them to help as they are inspectors under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Three police officers turned up and the sergeant agreed to go into the shed with us (and our video camera). He helped Ralph take measurements of cages, counted the ends and agreed that many were overstocked according to the stocking regulations. All rescuers then left . The sergeant made a statement to the media about the apparent overstocking and said he would be making a report to the RSPCA.

It was a long night for everyone involved, but a successful one, especially if the RSPCA goes ahead with a prosecution against Golden Eggs."

In order to counter false statements that were made by certain groups about this raid, Necia added the following clarifying comments:

• We did not trespass and the police did not arrest anyone.

• This was not done as a publicity stunt but to get an RSPCA or police inspection while we were on the premises and before the owners had time to clean things up.

• Neither this egg producer nor any others have ever been inspected by the RSPCA.

• The RSPCA inspection which followed our raid did not start until the Monday afternoon, which gave the owners 7 hours to clean up.

• The extreme feather loss on these hens was not due to the hens moulting - these hens were still laying eggs, unlike hens in moult.

• We correctly measured the cages and other aspects of the facility. We know the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the associated legally enforceable regulations.

• Our video tapes were not obtained illegally.

• Our video tape footage was never expected to be evidence for a prosecution. However, the police sergeant who inspected the shed with us would certainly make an excellent witness.

• The shed was fully lit when we entered. Battery caged hens are given little time in darkness because the extra time spent in bright lights stimulated them into producing more eggs. Contrary to the ill-informed comments by the SA Farmer’s Federation vice-chairman for the poultry section, Mr Peter Ebbs, we did not take any artificial lighting with us for the video camera.

• We are currently querying the RSPCA about their statement that "we jeopardised their chances of a prosecution".