Chicken-friendly Space-cakes?

[DrakeMaiden]

Yeah man . . . happily tripping around . . . .

 

[silkiechicken]

You saw the picture of the "free range chickens" in the picture right? Free range in a building it seems.

 

[jjthink]

So sorry - brace yourselves - I am going to put a damper on all the fun - sorry!! I enjoyed reading the funny posts myself. But I think you might want to know what maybe the Dutch space cake shop owners may not even know.....

I love the Netherlands for so very many reasons and I know there are many wonderful animal caretakers, some of whom are right here part of BYC. My observations have to do with commercial operations I saw while in Holland. I would like to think things have changed from when I toured several farms there several years ago but I fear not. As government representatives from the U.S., we visited Dutch facilities that boast "free range" chickens and were appalled at what we saw. The people would open the door to the chicken house to proudly show us what they considered "free range". First, the chickens were confined to a dark building so they weren't seeing the light of day - ever. They were called "free range" because they weren't in cages. But what they were was piled so deep in the building that they could barely breathe. You could not see any floor space, chickens were piled on top of chickens, all struggling to get on top for air. It was mayhem - the conditions were horrid. Place after place revealed the same set up. It was one big chicken nightmare.

The U.S. commercial operations basically stink too, unfortunately - have visited quite a few - and the chickens are stuffed many to a small cage, beaks cut back severely, and looking like they'd rather be dead.

The chickens in both places need space cakes in order to endure their plight.

Makes ya' just want to jump at the chance to invite me to the next party, right? Sorry!!!!!!! I feel like the "free range" chickens I saw need someone to tell the truth for them and I don't want anyone getting away with advertising "free range" when in too many cases it's a complete and utter farce (there are no doubt exceptions, of course, and hopefully standards are being improved).

JJ

 

[SpottedCrow]

That sucks, Judy, but they can put that on the labels because they're not in cages...

Not much better than battery farms.

 

[wegotchickens]

Quote:
Don't add it dry. You saute the extra ingredients to release the happy space molecules. THEN you bake the brownies, using the saute in place of grease and/or oil.

I was a hippee in a former, child-free life <sigh>

I'm all for organic, sustainable growth and being cool with the universe. Wish the universe were cool with free choice on some plants... Until then I'll have to drool over the concept of space cakes in a cafe.

JJthink, I know the chickens aren't truly happy, but was enjoying spaced out silliness. I was hoping since these were egg birds they had a bit more room. Otherwise, what's to stop them from stomping on the profits? But I know "free-range" meat chickens aren't any happier than grain-fed beef.

 

[3peeps]

Don't add it dry. You saute the extra ingredients to release the happy space molecules. THEN you bake the brownies, using the saute in place of grease and/or oil.

I was a hippee in a former, child-free life <sigh>

How funny...I was contemplating the concept of fresh space greens...didn't think as far as sauteing them.

Sadly I wouldn't know a cannibus plant if I walked by one. Closest I've come is discovering something herblike hanging from clothes hangers in my brother's closet in college. Fresh bud.

My husband and I have never partaken of any space substances. We are artist types and fear the possibility of a much-loved, immediate habit!

Not a great example for our child, and there's always the possibility of a random urine test at husband's job.​

 

[Davaroo]

I don't want anyone getting away with advertising "free range" when in too many cases it's a complete and utter farce

The term freerange is usually misunderstood, mostly misused and at it's worst, a literal joke. Many think that chickens in the yard are freeranged. Others think that turning chooks loose to fend for themselves is freerange.
Or putting a small door in the side of a rearing house is freeranging. Nope, sorry.

Here's where you must grasp the ecomonics of the thing on every level. When you have many demands and only a realtive handful of suppliers, then no one producer can rear their chooks in that idyllic Eden I spoke of - and still return a profit. Then HE or SHE would be starving.

Until everyone WANTS to raise their own eggs, this wont change.

Now, back to your regular happy cakes thread...​

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Oh yeah, I know the reality.

That's why I am so d@mn proud to have my own birds and their eggs that I can give to the people I love.

This may be why some people choose to be vegan, because they know too much.

I think even a vegan would agree they could eat my bird's eggs.

Elderoo is right. Our food production is totally off-kilter. We are feeding the masses from a small number of "farms" because all the honest hard-working small farmers have been priced out of existence. The truth is no one wants to pay what you'd have to pay for a truly free-ranged bird or its eggs. It would mean people would have to eat meat and eggs a lot less frequently or cut costs elsewhere in their budgets. We've become accustomed to cheap stuff, which either comes from slave-labor or cruel treatment of livestock.

Rant over.

 

[TurtleChick]

The truth is no one wants to pay what you'd have to pay for a truly free-ranged bird or its eggs. It would mean people would have to eat meat and eggs a lot less frequently or cut costs elsewhere in their budgets. We've become accustomed to cheap stuff, which either comes from slave-labor or cruel treatment of livestock.

amen... that's why my family only eats meat once or twice a week (tofu is so much cheaper!!!) - we can't afford "real" free range very often. we can't abide by the treatment animals receive, so we opt out... only part of the reason we decided to keep our own eggers!!!

i don't think i can raise my own meat birds, though... i'm too much of an animal lover softie.......

man. what a buzz kill.​

 

[jjthink]

QUOTE:
man. what a buzz kill.