Handout - The animal rights group L214 released footage on Tuesday evening of a chicken farm in the Pas-de-Calais region of France that wants to triple its size, showing animals crammed together and in poor condition, hoping to block the expansion, which is considered 'insane'. The images, filmed in March by the association, show dead chickens lying among live animals, animals limping badly and chickens whose bodies seem disproportionately large compared to their heads. The farm, which has been producing broilers since 1998 in Pihem, near Saint-Omer, wants to triple its surface area. L214 denounces this possible extension as 'a disproportionate project, an ordeal for the animals, and an economic aberration'. According to the public enquiry, which took place from 4 January to 2 February, the farm 'is currently registered for 20,500 animal-equivalents, raised in a building of 1,020 m2'. The project consists of constructing two new buildings of 2,400 m2 each, as well as a composting shed', the document states. The investigating commissioner issued a favourable opinion on 30 March, with two reservations concerning the accessibility of the site and the technical and financial capacities of the breeder. If the prefecture gives its authorisation, the number of chickens produced on the site will rise from around 150,000 to almost 860,000 in 'theoretical annual production', according to the figures provided by the breeder in his application. Pihem town council has advised against the expansion, citing concerns about noise and odour pollution and increased truck traffic. Pas de Calais, France on April 6, 2021. Handout Picture/L214 via ABACAPRESS.COM