I got rescue hens today

[maco5]

Quote:
Just how are they "rescued". They stole them? They bought spent hens that were going to rendering or to the compost pile? In my opinion, spent hens are rescued when they are dispatched.

Under the standards for organic production for Organic Valley farms, layers are kept in a floor system where they are free to run around, scratch, dust bathe, and have access to pasture. They are only permitted to be kept for a year. This avoids the practice of forced molting to keep them in lay and limits their production life. To keep them in production for longer periods is considered less humane.

In california the laws are different from where you are obviously.
Most egg farms here have the hens on cages with so many per cage, they can't even stretch their wings or lie down.
The lights are kept on constantly so they will lay more.
Sounds like a great life huh?
Even they should get the basic ability to stretch and lie down.
Veal calves don't get that either, and it is disgusting.
Prop 2 was just voted in but doesn't take effect until 2015.
This will make it necessary for factory farms of all types to provide a better environment for the animals.

These hens in particular were not "stolen", or purchased.
The farm allowed the hens to be rescued instead of killing them as long as the sanctuary does not reveal where they came from.
They still have lots life in them, and deserve the opportunity to do the things that come natural to them.
They have already given most of themselves to humans in providing eggs so we can eat.
For some,, death may be a better alternative depending on their condition, but not all.

 

[rebecca10782]

Do you have any pictures yet

I would love to see them.

 

[maco5]

I have a couple that aren't that great, but have yet to be able to post them!

I will take more as they become acclimated.
They are still very scared, and I don't want to freak them out too much.

I have them inside my house since it has been quite cold the last couple of days.
I think this is good also because they get used to humans walking by and voices, etc.

I will try to do the pictures again!

 

[Beed]

Awesome of you for rescuing those girls!

 

[maco5]

I officially give up on posting the pics!
I can't do it, and am tired of trying!
So if anyone wants to see the ones I have that aren't that great, send me an e-mail, not a PM, and I will send it to you.

Sorry I am just a computer idiot!
Eventually I will figure it out and post!

There are also pics of the hens on the animal place website, as well as the marin humane society.

 

[rebecca10782]

That's alright, I understand

I'm curious, are they friendly towards you? Are they adapting well to their new enviornment?

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
I do wish to keep this civil. I have a differing opinion...

No, the laws are not different here. I described a USDA certified organic layer operation to illustrate one of the most humane alternative production models. One of the management practices that is suppose to make this more humane is to limit production to 52 weeks at which point the birds are culled. This is in stark contrast to the resue operations that feel prolonging the life of a bird, albeit in a better environment than a cage operation, is to "rescue" it.

No matter the production model, you cannot escape the fact that these birds have limited value beyond a year or two and will eventually be culled.
If you find value in taking in a few spent hens, i.e., free laying hens, peace of mind, or companionship, so be it, but to characterize it as a "resue" is a stretch. You have only rescued them to serve your own purposes.

Just to play devil's advocate, there are 300-400 million of these birds culled a year. There is not always a rendering market for them and many are composted in large windrow operations at a substantial cost to the producer. By rescuing these birds you are saving the producer the cost of disposal and further perpetuating the model.

 

[Guitartists]

No matter the production model, you cannot escape the fact that these birds have limited value beyond a year or two and will eventually be culled.
If you find value in taking in a few spent hens, i.e., free laying hens, peace of mind, or companionship, so be it, but to characterize it as a "rescue" is a stretch. You have only rescued them to serve your own purposes.

Just to play devil's advocate, there are 300-400 million of these birds culled a year. There is not always a rendering market for them and many are composted in large windrow operations at a substantial cost to the producer. By rescuing these birds you are saving the producer the cost of disposal and further perpetuating the model.

Indeed.... my mother gets 2 year old hens from a buddy of theirs to butcher because after the 2nd year, their production slows down and they are no longer useful to them. A common practice.

However, I do agree that the environment in which these chickens are forced to live is an unfortunate one. I do believe that all animals regardless of purpose deserve at least some semblance of a natural life or at least something a little above and beyond the bare necessities. But, that is why it's so nice to see so many people taking a role in raising their own livestock. When I butcher one of my birds.. I know it had a good life up until it's death. I am also a realist.... there is little way that they could produce the supply to meet the demand without their production methods. If it's not chickens it's something else like cattle, chocolate or diamonds...... we are a consumer nation and so long as most Americans expect to have a ready supply of whatever it is that their heart desires... whether it be eggs and bacon every morning or a chocolate bar every lunch break.... we will always be taking advantage of something or someone if we haven't provided it for ourselves.​

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Quote:
Indeed. I am all for the alternative production models such as floor raising or modern aviaries with access to pasture. California's Prop 2 is a good thing, but like I said, regardless of the production model birds will still go to slaughter after a predetermined amount of time. Prop 2 allows them to lead a more natural life, but doesn't rescue them from slaughter.

 

[maco5]

Day by day these girls are acclimating pretty well.
They are inside my house because it is too cold to put them outside.
They now come to see what I have put in their dish!
Sadly though I got them some meal worms last night, but they don't seem to be able to pick it up!
They just poked at it!
I actually felt bad for the worm!

They really like corn, and I gave them some fried rice my friend had made that had peas and carrots and string beans in it.
They still get scared if I put my hand in, so I don't push it.

They make little cooing noises that are so cute!
And they dig down into the shavings and seem to enjoy dusting in them.

Not sure if I mentioned in the original post that their toes are crooked from being on wire.
They don't seem to be bothered by it though.

Can anyone tell me if the comb will eventually stand up or is it not supposed to?