ChickenOut

Great stories - remember to email them to us by the end of February and get the chance to win a copy of Hughs new cookbook!

Email them to chickenout@ciwf.org - we look forward to hearing from you :)

Thank you for taking part in this action. This will really help us to reach more people about the welfare of chickens.

Thank you to everyone who took part and helped spread the word about the Chicken Out! campaign.

Congratulations to the winners of the River Cottage diary's signed by Hugh - we hope you enjoy them and they are useful.

We still have a long way to go with this campaign so keep on spreading the word!

Some of the larger 'free range' egg farms use these codes on the eggs. We don't but then now we are down to a dozen hens the penciled dates seem to suffice! But Janet Texas is quite right-the problem is what the term 'free range' means-and it doesn't go anywhere near far enough. Too many birds together with 'access' to a small bit of concrete ... See Moreoutdoors is not good enough.

When we had a larger free-range farm, we tried to ensure our birds were in small groups in nice a roomy houses and large grassed pens to mimic as far as possible how they live in the wild, a pecking order established and not interfered with up by too many birds or constant changes. When will 'free-range' really mean free range?

Everyone prefers the taste of eggs from such happy hens which are allowed to constantly graze as they would naturally. And yes, the meat tastes fantastic too-I can taste the nasty 'fishy tang' of non free range-proper in a curry or anything-once you know how they should taste you'll never want to go back! However-in the meantime-'free range organic and the like will ensure the hens were happier than those that are not even that!

I have bought free range for a number of years and always thought that they were what they said on the packet.I own my own chickens and feel if more people went down that route then this would give the egg trade a real kick up the backside.Once the over all set up costs are addressed theres no extra cost involved , because the cost of the feed is ... See Moreno more than buying free range..Im considering bringing in two or three battery hens, into my clutch to give them a taste of the good life.I wasnt happy with what HFW unveiled with the original chicken out campaign, thats why I own my own now.

It is so wonderful to hear all you free range chicken lovers talk and share information about keeping your chickens in the garden especially ex battery hen rescuers! We hear nothing by inspirational stories about ex battery hens and their new homes and it fills us with joy.

Together we really can turn the nation free range. If you would like to ... See Morehelp us further why not order our brilliant fundraising pack which is full of really easy, simple but very effective ideas on how to raise money for chickens kept in the cruel factory farm conditions. If you are interested, please email chickenout@ciwf.org.uk and we will be delighted to help you further!

Take care in all the snow and thank you so much for all the support you show the Chicken Out campaign. Our work would not be possible without you.

Go vegetarian! or eat giraffes!

The power is in the hands of the consumer, I know times are hard, but while people still buy two chickens for a fiver then nothing will change.If we all boycotted these products for a few months the supermarkets would address the problems.And Zola I like giraffes.

Your choices as a consumer really do make a difference for farm animals. Remember to look out for higher welfare labels on your meat and dairy products - for more information about what lables mean on chicken products and other meat and dairy products visit our webpages: http://www.ciwf.org.uk/your_food/know_your_labels/default.aspx

Happy New Year Chicken Out fans! We hope you enjoyed a wonderfully free range/organic bird for Christmas. Be proud that you chose a higher welfare bird and keep encouraging others to do so too.

Organic, free range seem more expensive but their not pumped full of water to add on to the packed weight.Next time you open your prepacked poultry note how much water is in the tray, and remember you paid for that.

Thank you for sharing your experience Amanda. You can find out more about what labels mean on Compassion in World Farmings website: http://www.ciwf.org.uk/your_food/know_your_labels/default.aspx

Information about individual supermarkets and their animal welfare standards can also be found here: http://www.ciwf.org.uk/supermarkets/index.asp

Well done Amanda now we have more, info thanks to the likes of Hugh we seem to be able to run circles around retailers. I would inform M&S of your experience.Labels need to be clearer and more honest.I think were still a minority but my son is very well informed, I just hope we dont leave it to his generation.

Thank you for all your comments. We really appreciate all your support for this campaign.

If you would like to find out more about the Cage-free Council Campaign then please visit Compassion in World Farming's website at http://www.ciwf.org.uk/what_we_do/egg_laying_hens/take_action/cage_free_council/default.aspx.

If we all did this the price would come down. Loved my weekend at River Cottage Hugh!

Thank you for your comments and thank you for all your support for the Chicken Out! campaign.

I have four chickens in my garden, we have fields at the back and front of our property. Our run has a six inch concrete edge and wired roof. No problems as yet.Its a potential problem but dont let it put you off.Our matriarch hen Audrey happily sees off our cats, its very comical,and the hens are very pack like

my free range girls asked to sign.

Done, I wonder is this why we have far fewer great athletes than other developed countries, because the food this country supplies is of a lower standard.