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Free range egg producers John and Claire Warne say their hen houses are being used for target practice by low-flying military helicopters – and the couple say it has severely affected production amongst their 6,000 laying birds.

The Warnes live on the edge of Exmoor. They have lived there for more than 20 years and have occasionally experienced low flying aircraft for the whole of that time – but they say that flights over the farm are now happening all the time. "We have lived here for 21 years, occasionally low flying aircraft went over, but never to the extent that we have experienced this year," said Claire. "We have been experiencing problems since February this year with low flying helicopters using our hen houses as target practice or, as one local ex-military man commented, ’you are an enemy stronghold.’

"Each time I report an incident to the MoD I ask them what will happen in 2012 when there will be potentially more free range laying units in the countryside. The reply from the MoD is always the same - the aircraft can fly where they like within countryside."

The couple are seeking compensation from the Ministry of Defence and they have asked their local MP to take up the case on their behalf.

The Ranger contacted the Ministry of Defence hoping to speak to them about the Warnes complaints. A spokesman said he was not able to discuss individual cases. He provided us with the following statement: "The MoD is always mindful of its responsibilities to the general public and treats all flying complaints seriously. It would be preferable if low flying could be conducted without disturbance to those on the ground. However, this is not always possible. We have a responsibility to ensure that military aircrews are fully trained and prepared for operational duty, but in meeting this requirement we will continue to do all we can to minimise disturbance."

In the past the Ranger has contacted the Royal Air Force about low flying and has had a sympathetic response. Last year Peter Sinclair, squadron leader for RAF community relations in Wales and the Marches, told us that the RAF tried wherever possible to work with local people to avoid problems from low flying, although low flying was a necessary part of a pilot’s training. "The RAF’s low flying programme is the absolute minimum we have to do to train pilots to be able to low fly, to be able to maintain the skill and train for operations before being sent overseas and put in harm’s way," he said. "I have to say it is a very demanding skill and it is perishable. It takes a lot of training to get it right but that training is not something that is done without strict
control."

He said, "I know there are stations where there are chicken farms nearby and we do work with local people to avoid them. I would encourage any farmers who are having angst about low flying to contact us. Talk to us about it and we will try our best to solve the problem," he said.

Claire understands that the helicopters flying over the couple’s farm, at Hawkwell Cross,nr East Anstey, Dulverton, are from Yeovilton.

She has been sent a booklet by MoD entitled ’The Pattern of Military Low Flying Across the United Kingdon 2008-2009.’ It indicates that their farm is within low flying area 2. "After the south of England, our area has the highest number of complaints recorded," she said.

Claire says that at the time of the incident on February 8, the flock was at peak lay. The hens were well feathered, well behaved and the couple were anticipating record production, as they were coming into lay in the spring.

That same day the couple received a visit by University of Bristol researchers carrying out a feather pecking project. The following day there was an unannounced spot inspection by a Freedom Food inspector. On February 11 there was a Raising the Standards audit on behalf of Waitrose by a Stonegate representative.

Now, said Claire, "The hens appear to link the noise of helicopters with strangers, as we have noticed that each time we have an inspection or visit production falls and takes several days to rise. We have, therefore, made the decision that no-one goes into the hen house except John or myself."

Claire said that since the February 8 egg production had been constantly below target. The hens seemed to have aged prematurely and were looking and behaving similarly to a 67 week flock at week 47.

"The hens are constantly agitated and stressed, any little thing can upset them. We have tried using Stressless (vitamin additive) and other recommended treatments to calm them, but nothing has been successful.

"Some hens have suffered from coccidiosis, which required treatment. Many hens are very thin and hide in the nesting boxes. We are now experiencing problems with peritonitis. Only a small number of hens venture outside the hen house."

She said that after the February 8 incident the hens went into moult. Some hens were now re-feathering, some were not. "As a consequence we are experiencing a problem with white or very pale egg shells. Stonegate have informed us that all white or very pale shells must be removed from the first quality consignment and if we do not do so the whole pallet will be rejected and we will be paid at seconds value," said Claire. "We are still below target on production and are taking out 20 dozen plus white or very pale eggs each day."

Claire said she wanted the MoD to reconsider its low flying policy for areas where free range hen units were located. She said helicopters should do their utmost to avoid flying directly over hen houses as the noise of the engines was magnified inside the hen house.

She said she and her husband were looking for compensation for loss of production, and a contribution towards the additional veterinary and welfare expenses incurred. She said she was also concerned that the flock would not last until week 72.