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Avoid large eggs to protect hen welfare, consumers urged
More than 42 per cent of eggs laid by commercial hens are large or extra large.
“Everyone’s a winner if we simply change our thinking” - Jane Howorth MBE.

The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) is urging consumers to buy small, medium or mixed weight eggs in a bid to protect the welfare of laying hens. 

The rehoming charity says around half the eggs laid by commercial chickens are large or extra-large, which can cause health problems such as prolapse. 

BHWT founder Jane Howorth MBE said: “Mixed weight eggs are currently sold by a handful of supermarkets, but generally shopping habits remain stuck in the outdated ‘big is best’ mindset. Everyone’s a winner if we simply change our thinking. 

“Small or mixed weight eggs provide consumers with a bigger yolk to white ratio, farmers get a fairer price for each egg laid regardless of size and most of all it takes the pressure of our hardworking hens and allows them to do what comes naturally without interference from genetic modification.” 

Ms Howorth was recently invited to speak at the Guild of Food Writers, during which she took the opportunity to encourage influential food writers and chefs to switch their thinking on egg size when writing recipes. She stressed that more than 42 per cent of eggs laid by commercial hens are large or extra-large, with many smaller eggs being downgraded for use in the processed food sector.

The BHWT said: 'Ask any hen keeper who listens to their hens after producing an egg, and they’ll tell you there’s generally considerable squawking, and the squawk seems to increase in decibels the larger the egg! 

'The BHWT asks consumers to buy small, medium or mixed weight eggs to help hens – you’ll get more yolk for your money if you do, and the farmers and the hens will thank you.'

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VMD responds to Solensia injection concerns

News Story 1
 The VMD has added anaphylaxis to the SPC of Solensia 7 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats.

It says that this is a rare side effect, with such adverse events affecting fewer than three animals for every 1000 doses of Solensia sold.

Solensia is used to alleviate osteoarthritis pain in cats. It contains the active ingredient frunevetmab.

Anaphylaxis joins effects such as alopecia, dermatitis, pruritus on the list of adverse effects.

The VMD says that is constantly reviewing adverse event data for all medicines. 

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News Shorts
More bird housing measures introduced in England

The Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) is to enforce mandatory housing measures in five more regions, as it tackles the spread of avian influenza in kept and wild birds across England.

From 16 February the measures will apply to Cheshire, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Merseyside and Worcestershire. The regions join eight other locations which are already following the measures.

Bird keepers in these areas must house their birds, as well as following strict biosecurity measures. Any locations within a Protection Zone outside these areas must also keep birds housed.

An Avian Influenza Protection Zone, mandating enhanced biosecurity measures, remains in place across Great Britain. On 10 February, APHA also banned the gatherings of poultry, galliforme and anseriforme birds in England, Scotland and Wales

All disease control zones can be checked on APHA's interactive map. Further guidance on additional housing measures can be found here.