The Wallfish Journal

The Wallfish Journal

Why a local free-range chicken costs £10 [WFJ #37]

And how a virus fatal to birds is exposing the true price of cheap chicken

Hugh Thomas's avatar
Hugh Thomas
Oct 21, 2022
∙ Paid
Share

On the 7th October, a strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza — named H5N1 — was confirmed at a farm in Beckington. 

Putting it plainly, the deadly and extremely contagious ‘bird flu’ has reached Frome’s doorstep. The current outbreak is the worst the UK’s ever seen — Norfolk in particular has been ravaged — while wild bird populations, especiall…

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Hugh Thomas
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture