Day 101 - 10 Mar 95 - Page 47

     
     1        keeling over which would be a reason for them not to be
     2        flapping I suppose.
     3
     4   Q.   Did you ask about what the mortality rates were at Oasters?
     5        A.  I do not know what the mortality rates are
     6        specifically.  I do know that the mortality rates are lower
     7        in the battery houses than they are in the free-range
     8        houses.
     9
    10   Q.   For a comparable age range?
    11        A.  Yes.
    12
    13   Q.   That is what they have told you?
    14        A.  That is what they have told me.
    15
    16   Q.   Could you turn to pink volume 9?  I do not know if that is
    17        the one you have there, and turn to document No. 1?
    18        A.  OK.
    19
    20   Q.   Page 3.  The first paragraph says: "A percentage of
         Oasters' hens are kept in cages.  This is the company's
    22        preferred system for egg production because it is hygienic
    23        and efficient, providing a clean low-risk environment which
    24        enables eggs to be separated from the hens and their
    25        droppings."   Is that something you consider to be a good
    26        thing, to separate the eggs and the hens and the droppings?
    27        A.  Yes, definitely.
    28
    29   Q.   You think it is a good thing to separate the hens from the
    30        droppings?
    31        A.  Yes, an extremely important thing.
    32
    33   Q.   Because that does not happen with the broiler chickens,
    34        does it?
    35        A.  The broiler chicken eggs do not go on to be eaten.
    36
    37   Q.   No, but the hens are not separated from their droppings?
    38
    39   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Put the question again because I think you
    40        have got at cross purposes.
    41
    42   MS. STEEL:  I said you think it is a good thing to separate the
    43        hens from their droppings?
    44        A.  No.  Sorry, separate the eggs from the droppings.
    45
    46   Q.   So, it does not matter whether the hens are kept in their
    47        droppings or not?
    48        A.  I did not say that.  Sorry, if I did I misunderstood
    49        you.
    50 
    51   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You have said you think it is a good thing to 
    52        separate the eggs from the droppings.  You are now, in 
    53        effect, being asked do you think it is a good idea to
    54        separate the hens from their droppings?
    55        A.  Yes.
    56
    57   MS. STEEL:  You do?  Why is that?
    58        A.  Well, for the comfort of the bird and the prevention of
    59        the spread of disease.
    60