The RSPCA have suspended a farm that supplies eggs to some of the biggest supermarkets in the country.

This comes after 150 animal welfare activists filed into Hoads Farm, near Hastings, at around 6am on Tuesday (January 27).

Six others locked themselves to each other with heavy chains at the end of the farm's driveway, reports KentLive.

The farm, owned by the Potters Yorkshire Farmhouse Eggs Ltd, supplies free-range eggs to Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Asda - who all have numerous stores in Lancashire.

It was first established in 1978 and, according to its website, "values for animal welfare, high quality standards and sustainability underpin how the business is run to this day".

A spokesperson for the farm confirmed the RSPCA and their own vets are on site to ensure "all necessary standards are being maintained" while they seek a "peaceful resolution".

'The dead would have died in pain'

However, DxE Brighton say footage filmed today exposes "disease-ridden conditions" and "piles of corpses left rotting amongst the living hens" who "deserve to have their voices heard".

An investigator for the campaign group explained: “We visited Hoads Farm multiple times over 6 months.

The activist group say "piles of corpses left rotting amongst the living hens"

"Many of the hens’ cloacae, from which their eggs are laid, were visibly infected, bleeding and swollen from forced overproduction.

"In the disease-ridden conditions, many piles of dead birds were found in the walkways among the living hens, and each time that we visited we found the same and new bodies decomposing.

"The dead will have died in pain, with many obviously trapped in the racks dying from starvation.

"One night we found a hen huddled in the corner, motionless and shaking.

"She had blood all over her head, suggesting she had been violently thumped or stamped on by someone.

"She was in clear pain and shock and hadn’t received any veterinary attention.

“About 3 months ago, we found that depopulation had taken place since our last visit - every individual we had met in the months prior had had their lives taken from them in a slaughterhouse.

"The ammonia filled air and filthy shed remains with a new flock of 32,000 hens, who will also be killed in 14 months when they stop producing eggs fast enough.”

Suspended by the RSPCA

RSCPA Assured, the charity's sister organisation which producers register with to commit to higher welfare standards, says they have suspended the farm whilst they "urgently investigate".

Hoads Farm are fully accredited to RSPCA Freedom Foods welfare standards, according to their website.

However, a spokesman for RSPCA Assured said: “We are shocked and appalled by this footage and we understand why people are upset.

"Any allegations of poor welfare issues on RSPCA Assured certified farms are taken extremely seriously, which is why we have suspended the farm whilst we urgently investigate.”

'Very serious concerns'

A spokesman for the RSPCA added: "We have very serious concerns about some of the hens and the conditions shown.

"On any farm, it’s important that any sick or injured animal receives attention quickly and that if any birds die their bodies are removed promptly.

“We would encourage anyone with concerns about animal suffering to report it to us at the time so we can take swift action.”

Chickens at Hoads Farm

'Demanding the release of 75 hens'

A spokesman for Hoads Farm added: "A group of around 150 people are trespassing in a privately owned free range hen house on Hoads Farm in East Sussex and are demanding the release of 75 hens into their care in return for agreeing to leave the property.

"While it may be unintentional, the continued presence of such a large group is causing significant distress to the hens as well as potentially compromising the biosecurity measures in place, and we are seeking a quick, peaceful resolution.

"The police are in attendance to assist with the removal of the trespassers.

"All free range egg production is governed by EU legislation ensuring that the legal standards for free range production are met.

"Standards governing flocks producing Hoads Farm free range eggs are even higher, matching those of the RSPCA Assured standard and BEIC Lion standard.

"We have requested attendance on site today of the RSPCA and our vets to confirm all necessary standards are being maintained.

"However, all sites are routinely visited by independent bodies both announced and unannounced to ensure standards are maintained."

Sussex Police and the RSPCA have been approached for further comment.