I'm Sending Feed to be Analyzed

[BelovedBirds]

We all tend to find those who agree with our way of thinking to be more pleasant than those who disagree with us. That's why birds of a feather flock together.

I meant in general, most of my life I ate meat, and used to debate with vegans

Sorry, should have clarified

 

[SeaCity]

I love me some crawfish. If that makes me an insect eater, GUILTY AS CHARGED!!!

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But you aren't eating the exoskeleton, that's what they will include in our "feed".

 

[sdm111]

But you aren't eating the exoskeleton, that's what they will include in our "feed".

That's pretty cool. Who woulda thought the word exoskeleton could be used on a chicken forum. And with meaning too. Thanks

 

[raingarden]

The world is full of factory farms, and there is so much abuse and exploitation going on in them. And even other farmers, plenty don't care about their livestock. Some do, and others don't.

Farmers are trying to stay competitive and make ends meet just like everyone else. They care as much about their livestock than anyone. The birds are what pays their mortgage and puts food on their family table.

They will do whatever you want in terms of animal welfare if your are willing to pay the higher price at the market. They have already shown they will respond to consumer preferences for free-range, cage-free or whatever if it will keep them in business.

 

[miss heny]

Farmers are trying to stay competitive and make ends meet just like everyone else. They care as much about their livestock than anyone. The birds are what pays their mortgage and puts food on their family table.

They will do whatever you want in terms of animal welfare if your are willing to pay the higher price at the market. They have already shown they will respond to consumer preferences for free-range, cage-free or whatever if it will keep them in business.

And until the comsumer changes the market won't. As much as I hate commercial ag with the rising food demands we have sorta no choice currently

 

[miss heny]

With the growing population of the world our current farming system is struggling. Making everyone vegan or vegetarian isn't the answer either at how stripping monofarming is and the amount of emissions produced to ship vegetables (and unfortunately the human rights violations that come with some of the recent super foods that the health community praises.).

Wish there was a one cut fits all answer honestly I do.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Then explain the incredibly high levels of abuse that goes on. Remember, I'm talking about factory farms mainly. Of course they don't want the animals to all die young from neglect, they need to keep them alive the same way they would want to raise a full crop. That doesn't mean they care about the animals, the fear or pain that they feel. Plenty of farmers don't care. I've seen a lot of folks on here who do and I respect them

But let's not make blanket statements about all farmers caring, because they don't.

 

[BelovedBirds]

With the growing population of the world our current farming system is struggling. Making everyone vegan or vegetarian isn't the answer either at how stripping monofarming is and the amount of emissions produced to ship vegetables (and unfortunately the human rights violations that come with some of the recent super foods that the health community praises.).

Wish there was a one cut fits all answer honestly I do.

Agreed. I'm not arguing veganism right now, I'm just arguing animal welfare and improving it. The two overlap but they aren't the same thing

 

[miss heny]

Honestly with the term animal abuse a guideline for it is needed. Because there is things some farmers do that outsiders call abuse when in reality it's not, in our case we disbud goats and typically bottle raised the kids. Why? Well disbudding keeps both us and them safe, I have personally lost a few to hanging themselves in the fence when we didn't get them disbudded right (hence why we have spent money to have the vet dehorn if needed). I have also seen a doe kill a kid and another literally chew a kid's tail off (that doe will be with us till she dies, the tailless one). Also have seen first hand kids utterly destroy their mother's udder by how brutal they nurse.

But by choosing to bottle raise the kids and disbud them I been called a abuser.

AIing animals is another hot topic, and honestly I'm all for it because I have been attacked by aggressive bucks. It not pretty, also have seen farmer's lives lost to bulls. AI also ensures animal STDs aren't passed (yes real thing) and can save breeds as you can get genetics to your animals that may be thousands of miles away.


I agree there are some shitty farmers out there, Poultry farms alot that is because of the industry and how it's build. Beef cattle is more of a grey zone within the US as 90% of the cattle are grown on family operations who typically do pasture raise with heavy supplements, the 10% is feed lots that often times the 90% has cows sent there because of the contracts. Dairy farms within the US that are USDA cert and everything typically have the least offensive methods and what developed is for the animal's safety.

Pig farms, having raised them myself certain things like farrow pens make sense. Animal mothers can be downright evil unfortunately. Then again I refuse to eat pigs even if I wasn't converting to a religion that bans them off the menu they down right scare me.

I agree that animal welfare is needed, but like I said often times what people define as abuse for a animal is far from the truth.

Though like I said, much of current agriculture is being developed because of the consumer. Many farmers (within the US) who do work in commercial end up having to become serfs to metacorperations because the Laws are not in the favor of small time producers, and if you don't follow what the corporation wants on method of raising you don't get paid.

 

[Iluveggers]

Farmers are trying to stay competitive and make ends meet just like everyone else. They care as much about their livestock than anyone. The birds are what pays their mortgage and puts food on their family table.

They will do whatever you want in terms of animal welfare if your are willing to pay the higher price at the market. They have already shown they will respond to consumer preferences for free-range, cage-free or whatever if it will keep them in business.

Agree mostly with this. We have a ton of dairy farmers by name, (Chobani plant is in the area), and the farmers have little to no control over how the cows are raised. They aren’t allowed to let them eat grass. Stuck in a barn all day to “regulate” things, and feed is controlled by the company so all milk “tastes the same”. Farmers have been told this is the “best” way to care for their cows. I’m sure it’s the same for chicken farmers who work with companies like Perdue. Feed is controlled, space is controlled, temperature is controlled…can’t let the flocks outside as it will disrupt things and possibly bring disease. Unless you are small & local with autonomy, you are a farmer for “the man” and probably so far in debt w the company you could never break out and do your own thing.