Day 102 - 13 Mar 95 - Page 35


     
     1        A.  Yes.
     2
     3   Q.   So it would be very difficult to place them on their feet?
     4        A.  Yes.
     5
     6   Q.   So how are you suggesting that they ought to place them in
     7        the drawers?
     8        A.  Well, the only way you can pick up a chicken is by its
     9        legs, and so to do that you must turn it upside-down.  If
    10        you then place it in the drawer upside-down, it very
    11        quickly rights itself.
    12
    13   Q.   So you expect them to be placed in the drawer upside-down?
    14        A.  I do not see any problem with that.
    15
    16   Q.   They can actually be picked up other than by their legs,
    17        can they not, but you would have to pick them up
    18        individually?
    19        A.  Yes.
    20
    21   Q.   Which would cost more money in terms of the length of time
    22        it would take to catch them?
    23        A.  Yes.
    24
    25   Q.   So that is something where commercial consideration would
    26        come before the welfare of the birds?
    27        A.  Certainly, it is of commercial importance, yes.
    28
    29   Q.   When you say the birds are picked up carefully, in order to
    30        get four, five, six chickens or even three in one hand, you
    31        have to grab them fairly quickly, do you not?
    32        A.  Yes.
    33
    34   Q.   It is not something where you could grab one and then move
    35        over to another ---
    36        A.  No.
    37
    38   Q.   -- and pick that up?  Is the only time that thinning occurs
    39        at the six weeks period?
    40        A.  Yes, it is.
    41
    42   Q.   It never occurs at any other time?
    43        A.  No.
    44
    45   Q.   Is it correct that the thinning is often carried out in
    46        daylight?
    47        A.  Yes, it may be done in daylight.
    48
    49   Q.   In fact, does the company prefer that it is carried out in
    50        daylight? 
    51        A.  I do not think there is any particular preference. 
    52        When catching is taking place the lights are dimmed. 
    53
    54   Q.   Is there a difference between clearing out the shed and
    55        thinning in terms of what time of day it is normally done?
    56        A.  Not really.  It would just depend on the particular
    57        factory requirements.
    58
    59   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It is only incidentally that it is thinning,
    60        you happen to be catching the pullets ---

Prev Next Index