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Post by taffydales on Jan 10, 2008 20:28:31 GMT -1
With reference to HFW chicken out programme that I have been glued to all week, every day I have gone into my local CO OP to ask for free range chicken and guess what, they have,nt had any!!!! the in store butcher told me today that as soon as it hits the shelves its gone.....then get more in then ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!
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Post by harveydales on Jan 10, 2008 20:47:08 GMT -1
Well at least it means people are taking it seriously! The supermarkets will soon change their policies if demand continues. I've just watched the 3rd episode of the series. I was astounded to hear that normally Tesco only sell 4 free range chickens a day!!! So I must be one of the very few customers who buy their free range chickens. Hopefully this will change eventually. I also had to sigh deeply at the take-away owner who said there was no demand for free range chicken at his Indian Restaurant. Why does he think people like me and my friends only choose the vegetable curries when we go. I wouldn't dream of ordering a chicken curry at any Grimsby restaurant! Then the overweight guys downing their beers in a pub saying people like them couldn't afford free range chicken made me laugh.  All of these people must be feeling rather foolish and embarrassed when they see themselves on the programme! |
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Post by olivia on Jan 10, 2008 21:50:31 GMT -1
I've not eaten anything but freerange for about 20 years now (scary thought!!!), and it is getting much easier to get hold of now. And people don't look at me like I'm completely mad anymore which is nice. Summer 07 I gave up all egg product that wasn't free range and that is MUCH MUCH harder. Luckily you can get things like mayonaise which is nice, but lots of other things are tough. I do occassionally have to have eggy things when I'm out at conferences/events all day when the choice is egg or meat, which I don't like doing, but is lesser off too evils. I know I sound like a sanctimonious old fart, but people don't need chicken to survive. When I was a student/first job I simply couldn't afford free range meat, so I didn't have it. Once a term I'd treat myself to a chicken breast which was luxury indeed  |
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Post by SuzieP on Jan 10, 2008 21:57:17 GMT -1
We don't need to eat huge amounts of meat for goodness sake!! I used to make one small chicken last three meals for me, Andrew and Claire. The breast for Sunday lunch, the legs picked clean and the meat used in a curry or a pie, and then the carcass boiled up and stripped and made into a thick soup with loads of veg, the bits of meat and served with hot garlic bread. Very yummy - and each meal hardly more than the cost of a pint of beer or two!
I must admit, I don't think about it if I order chicken when I'm out - I should do.
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Post by chickflick1066 on Jan 10, 2008 23:25:42 GMT -1
Suzie, neither do I...tis hard to remember. Chicken is the only meat I really eat as well...so it's about time my morals changed!
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Post by The Moo on Jan 11, 2008 7:46:32 GMT -1
I have missed most of the programmes but has he gone into the proper definition of free-range. A few years ago while visiting some friends they said the neighbouring farm had gone into free range, they had a huge barn filled with 000's of chickens with only two doors about 18'' x 18'' for them to go in and out. Yes they were free-range as they had the choice of going in and out but there was no way that one in the middle of the barn would ever make it to the edge or even outside. I think the supermarkets will change their pricing structure for the free range, they can afford to have loss leaders to satisfy their customer needs. It is the customers who drive the prices up or down. I have a love/hate relationship with Tesco. I hate the way they can sell a two chickens for £5 and a decent pair of jeans for £4 and how they are really bad dealing with their small suppliers but at 8.30pm when I have finally done all my other jobs where else can I actually buy something to eat.  |
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Post by harveydales on Jan 11, 2008 9:30:37 GMT -1
Yes, I agree, free range farms as they are in this country still leave a lot to be desired, certainly nothing like a few back yard chickens. But it is a huge improvement on the intensive way of rearing chicken. I was listening to Jamie Oliver being interviewed on Radio 4 yesterday and the problem of cheap meat/eggs from abroad was discussed. I guess it is down to the consumer in the end - hopefully if they are made aware of what is going on then they can choose to support UK free range farmers even if it means spending a bit more on their food. Why do people think their food should be cheap? My big bug bear is the many take-away outfits round here. They do a huge trade and there is no free range option what so ever. When I see these chicken meals with their poor leg bones always broken or splintered due to their atrocious living conditions I get really mad.  I feel like doing some campaigning myself. |
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Post by PonyGirl on Jan 11, 2008 11:28:18 GMT -1
On a funny note. I listened to one of the guys on Blue Collar Comedy. He was talking about Free Range Chickens. I honestly have that in my head. I feel they should be kept this way but this guy was funny.
There are farms here that have free range chicken, turkey, and me I have free range birds.
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Post by Rowndan on Jan 11, 2008 16:54:57 GMT -1
Sue.. how do you make your soup thick??
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Post by lucydales on Jan 11, 2008 17:15:59 GMT -1
Don't send it to school!!!!!
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Post by SuzieP on Jan 11, 2008 17:33:16 GMT -1
Har har, Luce!!
Row - I cook all the diced veg together in the chicken stock (carrots, potato, onions, leeks - anything really) then when it's cooked I lift out half of the chunks and liquidise the rest, then put the veg back in with the bits of meat I've picked off the carcase. Liquidising the veg thickens the soup. Ta daaaaaaa!
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Post by harleydales on Jan 11, 2008 19:50:41 GMT -1
We eat the legs and wings of a roast bird first, then have the breast cold the next day, then chicken fricasse/curry and make stock with the carcass - nothing wasted from our purchase LOL!
The whole chicken thing drives me mad and makes me very angry - if sheep or cattle or horses were kept in those conditions, there would be outcry. So why allow it for chicken?
Sadly economics dictate to the farmer how quickly and how many chickens they have to push through the sheds in a year.
BUT all feed is going up in price, including poultry feed, so this MAY have an impact.
Things are definitely improving for the chickens, but there's along way to go yet.
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Post by Rowndan on Jan 12, 2008 21:05:04 GMT -1
Lucy RPFL
thankyou sue xx
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All of these people must be feeling rather foolish and embarrassed when they see themselves on the programme!
