As bad as it is (and I am a rescuer of 'barn fresh' and 'free range' hens so I have a bit of experience) this is just one of the many farms that supply Happy Eggs and they are certainly not all like this. I've visited two and a third was the subject of a foodepedia article
http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/articles/2013/aug/Nick_Harman_Visits_Happy_Egg_Co_Farm.htm Yes the filming was done at night when the birds would be shut away anyway, the birds do stink when they're closed up at night, but it was also done in January when frankly no hens look at their best. It's a normal time for moulting and our little flock look pretty dire from November to about February. Lice and mites are an occupational hazard because they're so difficult to eradicate entirely and birds always look filthy at this time of year because of the sea of mud they are free-ranging in.
I'm not saying they are perfect, far from it, but frankly if you have to buy commercial eggs and can't get them from a local farm shop where you can see the birds, then Happy Eggs are still the 'best' on the market for bird welfare overall.
_________________The Official "Saucy Minx"
This above all: To Thine Own Self Be True
"Red sky at night, Shepherds Delight"..Which is a bit like Shepherds Pie, but with whipped topping instead of mashed potato.
