I WISH to reply to the letter 'Protest was appalling' (Advertiser, May 21).

I am sorry if the 'graphic pictures' of a chicken being killed caused offence but they were no worse than those in many children's cartoons.

Redditch Animal Rights was demonstrating outside KFC in order to point out to customers and passers-by the cruelty involved in factory farmed chickens.

I am not aware of any abusive comments or insults and no member of our group acted in a threatening manner.

Factory farmed chickens are fed growth-inducing antibiotics to ensure the chickens grow to an adult size in just six weeks, then they are killed.

The antibiotics are passed on to humans when they eat chicken flesh.

Without antibiotics, the chickens would die from the atrocious conditions in which they are kept.

Up to 30,000 chickens are crowded into each shed where disease, smothering, lung failure and heart attacks are common.

Then they are packed into tiny crates and transported for slaughter where they will be hung upside down, have their throats slit and some will be scalded alive whilst still conscious.

Research has shown vegetarians live longer, have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and sufferlower rates of obesity than meat eaters.

We were also trying to convey this to the public and several people were persuaded and gave KFC a miss.

RYLMA WHITE Redditch Animal Rights

Address supplied