As Chicken Guardians, we are all blessed that the work involved in keeping chickens is so minimal in contrast to the vast rewards. Their hearts beat just like ours and, as such, should be treated with dignity. Like humans, they simply want to spend time with their families. When you treat a chickens' life with respect, you are rewarded with an animal that most chicken farmers never see and most chickens never become. I believe nurturing life helps nurture ones' soul.
Raising chickens for meat or eggs in battery cages is disgusting and should be outlawed. I truly believe that the misery of the bird directly affects the health of the person eating it. Although I am not a vegetarian, I believe that not just Americans but the world as a whole consumes way too much meat. Banning battery cage-raised chickens would free up millions of acres previously used for growing grain for chicken feed and could be converted to growing veg/fruit for humans. Eating meat 2-3x/week isn't only plenty, but will definitely save your family money.
FYI: I do raise 12 meat chickens and purchase a butchered cow and pig each year for our meat supply. I do eat meat but if it comes down to going without or buying meat from an animal who had never seen the sun, felt the earth beneath its' feet, or smelled fresh-cut grass - I see that as a line I, a fellow animal, will not cross.
These are my views and I do not expect everyone to agree but I do believe the each and everyone should atleast look into animal rights, educate themselves, and find out where your views stand. It's easy to buy "slave meat/eggs" when you choose not to open your eyes to what is really going on. Afterwards, if the idea of battery raised chickens doesn't offend you, buy as much as you like.
hc
Raising chickens for meat or eggs in battery cages is disgusting and should be outlawed. I truly believe that the misery of the bird directly affects the health of the person eating it. Although I am not a vegetarian, I believe that not just Americans but the world as a whole consumes way too much meat. Banning battery cage-raised chickens would free up millions of acres previously used for growing grain for chicken feed and could be converted to growing veg/fruit for humans. Eating meat 2-3x/week isn't only plenty, but will definitely save your family money.
FYI: I do raise 12 meat chickens and purchase a butchered cow and pig each year for our meat supply. I do eat meat but if it comes down to going without or buying meat from an animal who had never seen the sun, felt the earth beneath its' feet, or smelled fresh-cut grass - I see that as a line I, a fellow animal, will not cross.
These are my views and I do not expect everyone to agree but I do believe the each and everyone should atleast look into animal rights, educate themselves, and find out where your views stand. It's easy to buy "slave meat/eggs" when you choose not to open your eyes to what is really going on. Afterwards, if the idea of battery raised chickens doesn't offend you, buy as much as you like.
hc