I can't eat chikcen anymore!!!

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi All,

Thanks for the recent postings. I am still working out my feelings on eating chicken and the commercial chicken
farming.


It was posted that chickens do not think or process things as we do. That is true but I just have a hard time
with how the workers treat them so badly when being processed.

I do not mind the fact that they need to be
killed for me to eat. But it is the way they are killed, more like death by torture. Maybe I have the wrong
information, maybe those who have more of an insight into the commercial meat processing can set me straight.
The info that I know is what I see on youtube or what is featured on the news when a processing plant is
exposed for whatever reason. I guess I am still struggleing with making since of things and how I should
apply it to my life.

 

[NYRIR]

Quote:
I agree as well. We humans tend to put "human emotions" on our animals. I was just reading a website the other day that described this very thing with dogs. It was talking about how sad it is that smaller dogs have become so "snippy" and overbearing with "attitude" but explained very logically why we (for the most part) "accept" this as "Well, he's a LITTLE dog" so the behavior is expected.When reading the why's and how's of what happens to create these behaviors we call "normal" for a small dog, I realized the wisdom in thinking.We create it ourselves by "humanizing" dog behaviors and seeing them from the wrong viewpoint,not a DOG's viewpoint. i am sure this applies to all animals. It is kinda sad to know some of the behaviors aren't what i'd like to think they are about, but I'm a realist so it makes sense to me.
I am seeing my dogs' behavior in a new light though, and I have to tell you....they are both still a ton of fun...I just have a clearer understanding of them

Just my .02

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
There is nothing glorified about it. The animals are housed in places where their basic needs are met in order to grow for their pre-destined purpose. I have worked in the factory farming and it is NOT as bad as groups would lead you to believe. I have seen worse treatment by people on this very board who simply go purchase birds not knowing their basic needs and allow their birds to die of chilling, diseases or starvation because they simply do not know any better. People who work in the commercial industry know what the birds need.

If it helps you to think of it this way. Imagine if 100,000 birds were released into a free-ranging environment. Does not matter what kind of bird. Out of those birds, you can expect to lose many to predation, a few to injuries, some wandering off and never return, etc. Did those birds enjoy death by those means? No. They were stressed and probably experiencing pain.

Now, birds in factory farming are fed almost constantly. They have a constant feed and water source. They are housed away from the threat of predation. They are in houses which protect them from elements and chilling from drafts. Frostbite is not an issue in these houses. When they are gathered for, we'll just use meat birds in this example, processing the house is darkened. This prevents the birds from experiencing stress or injuring themselves. They are either put by hand or by a gathering machine into the crates. The crates are not overcrowded. After all, overcrowded crates lead to scratches, bruising, etc. Which all lead to a decreased profit for the grower.

The birds, once they reach their destination are put into a dark room and hung up on shackles. The birds are taken through the dark room and into a bright room where there is immediately the electrified vat. The vat is not designed to drown. The vat has just enough voltage to stun the birds before slitting. Anything higher than the specified amount will cause burning of the skin, overcontraction of the muscles, etc. One stunned, they go through the slitting machine. The machine slits the arteries in the neck. If a bird IS missed, there is a person wielding a knife to prevent the birds from entering the scalding tank alive. There is a 45 to 1:30 second delay between the slitter and scalder. This helps the birds bleed out and prevents birds entering the scalding tank alive.

This was the normal procedure for good processing plants. This specific arrangement was by George's. I'm sure Tyson's is even more sophisticated than this.

 

[Chickenfrantic]

I wouldn't dream of eating one of my own, but have no problem eating it from the store !! LOL !!

 

[JulieNKC]

Quote:
I have the same problem. I have to watch my buff orp hens, they'll go as far as jumping up to take it right off my plate or out of my hand as I'm trying to eat. When we throw the bone to the dog (and yes I know dogs aren't supposed to eat them but my little yorkie mix has for 10+ years) the dog has to grab it and hide, or the chickens will take it right out of his mouth)

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Thanks again for the replies. Specifically rodriguezpoultry; I do appreciate your post. Was very helpful.
So the vidoes that I saw on youtube were probably a false representation of the process of handling
the animals. That is good to know, I am glad that you were able to provide some inside information.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

The videos on youtube are a gross misrepresentation of the entire process. Their goal is to make you so disgusted with the practice that you completely turn away from it. Their end goal is to make it so that no human posses, eats or "uses" any animal for any product.

What better way to stop the purchasing of these products than by showing the worst of the worst situations out there. I will admit that there are plants such as those online, HOWEVER, most are shut down or are located in other countries, even if the video states that they are located within the US.

Another thing to note, is that most of the videos online show very dirty conditions. In the US, the metal inside of the factories is gleaming and shiny. Every piece of machinery is cleaned on a daily basis. Everything is disinfected daily. It is actually quite clean compared to backyard processing. I mean, let's face it...how often do we REALLY cool our chicken after processing it? Do we REALLY get it at the correct temp for the correct amount of time?

I know when I went through walk throughs and worked the day there, I was very prejudiced against the whole thing. Afterwards, I was very impressed and shocked at how intricate it all was.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hey Rodriguezpoultry, you hit it on the nail. The Videos did show a very dirty
and unkept facility. Judging by your description of the factory in the US, there
is no way this particular video could have been filmed in the US. Thanks for
clearing that up for me. You have been most helpful.

 

[sumi]

rodriguezpoultry: I agree with you, but keep in mind that there are farms out there that do not do thing right. And many chickens and other animals on factory farms do not get raised in ideal conditions.
I've read a lot about broiler chickens and studies have shown that they do suffer during the short time they live. Two food dispensers were placed, one with ordinary broiler food, one with pain medication added. After a day or two all the chickens went for the medicated food and left the ordinary food.
I'm sure you can imagine what growing from a tiny chick to a full grown, 5-6lbs chicken in 28 days can do to your comfort, mobility and skeleton.
Another unfortunate thing I've seen is that many farmers to not bother to clean out the cages during this period, resulting in painful chemical burns to the chicken's feet. I've seen many tell-tale burn spots left on chicken drumsticks sold in supermarkets.
I think consumers like Roy Rooster needs to see for themselves where their food comes from and decide if the conditions are acceptable to them personally, or not. I've been on broiler and battery farms, read a lot about the process and decided to stop eating broiler chickens and battery eggs. For me, personally, the conditions and the wellbeing of the chickens were unacceptable.

 

[Royd]

Quote:
I agree as well. We humans tend to put "human emotions" on our animals. I was just reading a website the other day that described this very thing with dogs. It was talking about how sad it is that smaller dogs have become so "snippy" and overbearing with "attitude" but explained very logically why we (for the most part) "accept" this as "Well, he's a LITTLE dog" so the behavior is expected.When reading the why's and how's of what happens to create these behaviors we call "normal" for a small dog, I realized the wisdom in thinking.We create it ourselves by "humanizing" dog behaviors and seeing them from the wrong viewpoint,not a DOG's viewpoint. i am sure this applies to all animals. It is kinda sad to know some of the behaviors aren't what i'd like to think they are about, but I'm a realist so it makes sense to me.
I am seeing my dogs' behavior in a new light though, and I have to tell you....they are both still a ton of fun...I just have a clearer understanding of them

Just my .02

Twice a day, my neighbor's female black Lab, comes over to visit with my Austrailian Cattle dog. She's basically my dog, except that I don't have to feed her.

I'm sure if some well meaning do gooder were to observe their morning romp, I would get the ASPCA called on me. There's growling, and teeth showing , biting and a a ton of dust being put into the air, but it's all in good fun and comaraderie.