Battery Hens.

[troy4]

Exactly. There is no simple solution and we've got a whole lot of people to feed in the meantime. It's not always going to be pretty and there are so many places where there needs to be improvement but we have to keep trying to find ways to make food available and affordable to more people, not the other way around.

its for battery hens.Were trying.

 

[cafarmgirl]

its for battery hens.Were trying.

I understand that and I am as sympathetic as the next person, but there is a bigger picture and I just think people should consider all angles of a situation before they start talking about petitions etc. Things are rarely as cut and dried as we want to think they are.

 

[jonalisa]

How many battery hens do you own?

 

[golly molly]

I would like to sign the petition , when I see those trucks carrying those poor chickens it makes me want to become a vegetarian. I think it is cruel . they are stacked on top of each other and no matter what the weather is they are not protected. Probably half of them are dead before they get to their destination which would be a blessing for them. think of the terror of it all for them. Maybe they should have to process the chickens where they are raised in huge amounts like that. At least they wouldn't be stuffed in those cages and trucked off in all kinds of weather. I hope you get many signatures. donna

 

[chickyen]

Well, none because I do not have enough room in the city. I am hoping to get some if I move out to the country.

 

[chickyen]

I would like to sign the petition , when I see those trucks carrying those poor chickens it makes me want to become a vegetarian. I think it is cruel . they are stacked on top of each other and no matter what the weather is they are not protected. Probably half of them are dead before they get to their destination which would be a blessing for them. think of the terror of it all for them. Maybe they should have to process the chickens where they are raised in huge amounts like that. At least they wouldn't be stuffed in those cages and trucked off in all kinds of weather. I hope you get many signatures. donna

Thanks, I appreciate your support.

 

[dekel18042]

For those of us who do own chickens, each hen is one less hen living in a commercial facility.
For those of us providing our family and friends with fresh eggs, that is one less hen in a commercial facility. So you see, we are doing something to ensure less commercial hens.
If you can't own hens, perhaps time would be well spent petitioning your local government to allow those with yards to keep a small flock, perhaps 3-8 hens in their backyard. That would lessen the need for hens to live in a commercial facility.
I think probably the majority of people on this forum by keeping chickens and spreading the message are doing pretty much to educate people they come in contact with one at a time.

 

[Nambroth]

This is one of those topics that can get heated, so in the interest of not arguing with anyone, I will share my thoughts then try not to reply again.

These topics are very troubling.
There are a huge amount of people on this planet.
Those of us in first world countries, bless our luck, have a tendency to want. And want a lot.

Anytime you combine wanting a product quick, "easy", and cheap, something is going to suffer. Unfortunately it's almost always other people or animals. Our general goods cause suffering in other countries very often (electronics, clothes, etc), while our food causes critters to suffer. There's no perfect solution. It's all much more complex, the more you learn about it, and the more you try to find ways to abate the suffering. The more you look into something like this, the more you realize that it's way more complex, and interconnected than you realize. It comes with a feeling of powerlessness.

Along these lines, I have always noticed that trying to force people into complying with a solution has been rough. People push back against the forced changes and it's a mess. I guess, I find the best thing I can possibly do as someone with the privilege of living in a first world country where I have choices, is to educate myself, and then change myself to best comply with how I wish the world was.
So, I don't like battery cage eggs? I don't buy from McDonald's (for that and other reasons). I don't buy them at the grocery store. I avoid buying them in products whenever reasonably possible. I do have chickens, but if I did not, I would seek someone that did. Local eggs too expensive? I'd seek out local keepers that offer eggs for less, or even barter. It's taken years to do but I have made lovely friends locally that trade with me. I can't grow all the veggies I need, so I trade eggs for them. They don't have chickens and appreciate the "happy" eggs. Don't have local growers (even on a small scale)? Try farmers markets. They can be more expensive, but even if you go and just talk to a farmer, and connect... you would be surprised at the sense of community.

I was once at a point in my life where I was dumpster-diving for food, because I was so poor. I was nearly homeless (and am thankful that I wasn't actually homeless!). I understand all too well the weight of the decision of "more expensive but caused less suffering, or less expensive and possibly suffered, but I can afford to eat it". No one should be made to feel guilty when finances force your buying hand.

I am just one person. But imagine what would happen if even a tiny percentage of the population took this approach when they were able? How many less battery chickens would be "needed"? The rewards of approaching life this way are many. The rewards of sending a petition off are also rewarding, but in the end it is a battle.