The Battery Hen (a poem for National Poetry Day)

The Battery Hen (a poem for National Poetry Day)

Mary was a battery hen
She laid her eggs each day at ten
Ten thousand others in her shed
Always warm and always fed.

She didn’t know that there was more
Not far away outside the door
She ate her food and had a drink
Because she wasn’t bred to think.

At night the lights were dimmed quite low
She never heard a cockerel crow
No perch for her, no day or night
No room to stretch as if in flight.

Then someone said this isn’t fair
We need to think a bit and care
The chickens need to have more space
To spread their wings, it’s a disgrace.

And when some farmers saw the harm
They tried to free range poultry farm
Where hens could scratch and get outside
And if it rained could run and hide

Yes, it costs more for happy hens
It takes more space for bigger pens
But surely it is worth the price
Buy free range eggs, they taste so nice.

So, Mary’s life was not in vain
Now many hens feel sun and rain
And scratch around for worms and seeds
Not feeding others greedy needs.

We all must think and have the choice
Vote with our feet and have a voice
Take the time to check the labels
And buy the best that you are able.

Jan Millward©