Anybody have first-hand experience in a commercial egg farm??

[seedcorn]

W/O going into detail, how do you know the feed is organic? Guaranteed that most certified "organic grain" is not. If you really want to know, go visit and look at all the violations. We sell more grain/feed that is certified organic than grown total, not even close. I actually doubt that there is very much "true organic" in America at all when you take ALL the definitions into account. Most organic people pick and choose which ones they agree with and which ones they don't. To me, it's either organic or it's not, kind of like being pregnant.

I have NO problem w/free range where chickens actually go out into yards/pastures but "free range" by definition means they have access to outside because of door/window but it doesn't state that the opening is OPEN. talk about hypocrosy......

 

[beekybuzzard]

Quote:
New to here but I'll chime in. I have my own small farm and I drive an 18 wheeler for a feed mill that serves around 160 turkey farms and a large scale egg producer.
While there are the dangers mentioned by others of chickens attacked in the outdoors I much prefer this for my own birds than the 14"X16" cages that the birds "live" in at the commercial business and never out of them until they are crammed into other cages for delivery to the packing house. With 7500 birds in each house and all of the chemicals and additives put in the feed I feel that I am much happier eating the eggs, poultry, pork, and beef that I raise. Could just be me but they seem better to me than the stressed drugged up stuff sent to the stores.
Not to say to put them out of business and kill my own regular job, but I prefer to raise my own my way.
OK done now. Have a blessed day.

 

[kstaven]

That is the big problem everywhere Seedcorn. Agri business is continually pushing for more exemptions and relaxation of what "organic" means. It has become so diluted in the corporate setting that it is becoming meaningless. Not to mention those that are committing out and out fraud.

Having said that I know producers that are true "organic" and those not certified who are "organic" in everything they do. It really is a buyer beware situation out there.

Bottom line is that if producers could sell product for what it is really worth and not at the mercy of marketing and quota boards this would not be the issue it is. People want cheap and easy access to everything and that drives the problem deeper. If you look at the state of agriculture these days it is a bubble that is bound to burst. The economics of it all dictate it is not an economically self sustaining system. Not to mention the breeding grounds we are creating in factory farming for antibiotic resistance and virus mutation due to the confinement density and closed air space.

There are some very good aspects to modern farming practices and the increased knowledge base. Yet we chose to continue down a road that endangers us all.

There are some well run and responsible chicken operations out there, but from what I have seen on this side of the border they are in the minority. Pushing the limits and not reporting problems is very common, because it means making a profit or not making a profit. I have family in the business and they will not buy chickens from the store. They get their chickens and eggs from me. That should tell you all you need to know about the state of the commercial chicken farm.

 

[dbjay417]

The activists are just as fruadulent as the coporate bloodsuckers. There is no believing anyone on these matters. i imagine that the truth lies half way between the dirtiest and the cleanest of operations.

 

[seedcorn]

Quote:
Here in lies 3 problems.
1) It's not just Agribusinesses but even the "small, I'm doing it right" farmer pushing for relaxation of the rules--it's a joke that the small guys blame it on the "corporate ag", it's an easy cop out.
2) Why use a term that is a joke at best--organic.
3) The general population will not pay for what they say they want.

 

[gritsar]

I'm sure there are good commercial houses as well as really bad "backyard" chicken houses. I've never worked on a commercial egg farm, but I did spend exactly ONE day working in a commercial broiler house, when the chicks were arriving. I freaked on the way they were brought in on what looked like bread trays and literally dumped on the dirt floor of the house. I guess the other workers got a big kick outta watching me try to upright all the babies that landed on their noggins! It must not hurt the chicks too bad though or else why do the big companies allow it? (Not gonna mention the brand name, but this farmer did grow chickens for one of the biggest poultry producers in the country). If it hurt their profit margin too much they would ban this practice, IMO.
I don't care for the way they are raised in the commercial houses, it's all about the feed/meat ratio. But again, that's my opinion.
The part that bothers me the most is how they are transported to the processing plant. I live in an area with a very large chicken farm population and getting stuck behind a chicken truck on it's way to the plant is very common. The chickens appear squished into the metal crates and if it's 90+ degrees outside and you are feeling it in your air conditioned car, you know those birds have got to be feeling it. I just can't fathom how they keep the majority of the birds alive till they arrive at their destination, but apparently they do.
So I guess my general opinion of the subject would be that although it may bother my sensibilities to see these things, the fact that I don't know enough about it or work in the field means I really can't say whether it's right or it's wrong.
Now just don't ask me my opinion on the production of veal and I'll be fine

I bid you peace, Kat

 

[ksacres]

Quote:
Or true pate.

 

[kstaven]

Here in lies 3 problems.
1) It's not just Agribusinesses but even the "small, I'm doing it right" farmer pushing for relaxation of the rules--it's a joke that the small guys blame it on the "corporate ag", it's an easy cop out.
2) Why use a term that is a joke at best--organic.
3) The general population will not pay for what they say they want.


1) 14 years of sitting on committees has shown me otherwise. Much like the harmonization of the organic standard in Canada. There was a huge push to get it cleaned up by the smallhold set. Needless to say big money won over #'s on petitions and attendees at stakeholders meetings.

2) I use the word "organic" in the truer sense of the word and not government regulated definition. In that context it is not a joke.

3) Interesting thing is in a round about way they end up paying more than they know. Subsidies through the government, administration of funds and all that regulating eats up billions of tax dollars every year. So if you take that all into account the cost of food is really not the bargain people perceive it to be. There is far more cost than the sticker on the shelf would indicate.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I'm eating more and more locally grown food, mainly because I can talk to the people who are doing the production and know how my food is being produced. Besides, it just tastes better.

I have never seen a commerical poultry plant, but have lived down wind from a major turkey producer. Anything that produces that evil an odor, from that kind of distance, cannot be entirely humane. If I could smell the turkey farm from miles away, what was the stench like where the birds were living??

Now I liked it when the wind was blowing from the Malt o Meal plant, especially if they were making the chocolate kind.

 

[Katy]

35+ years ago I worked at our neighbors commercial egg farm. I had worked there on and off through high school and worked there full time for a period of time after high school. I know that's a long time ago, but looking back the hens were well cared for.....always had food and water...didn't have to worry about the cold.....heat was a different story. Having said that, it's not the way I would want to keep my hens, but I guess it could have been worse. It's probably also one of the reasons I've pretty much always kept hens for fresh eggs....I know how long those eggs sat in the cooler before they were shipped out!!