laying hens retire

[marktoo]

Saw this on face book this morning ,thought it interesting http://www.sacbee.com/2013/09/04/5705291/1200-chickens-catch-a-flight-to.html

 

[GJchickens]

Thanks

 

[Cluky]

so I have to ask people's opinion on this. what you guys think? I agree destroying the for no one to use is wrong but if they do not lay anymore why not use them for food? why spend 50k to just fly them somewhere and then god knows how much more money on upkeep? if they still lay just not enough for production I get it I think, but if they do not?

 

[Kelsie2290]

It's a combination of things. But these usually seem to be some sort of feel-good thing for the public, and the influx of donations associated with it for the agencies involved. If people want to spend their money that way, fine with me I guess, have got pet chickens myself that are never going to earn their keep. As long as they allow us to process our own and don't require us to provide a life-time retirement plan for all farm animals. I do hope they know what they are getting into trying to turn a bunch of aged commercial hens into the chicken version of Born Free. Wish they would keep track of the numbers and publish the survival rate on the birds over the years.

 

[Cluky]

that would be interesting to see. would like to see numbers on who would actually live though the transport as well. can't imagine that type of stress wouldn't do anything. to each his own I guess. personally there are better ways to spend that type of money.

 

[upthecreek]

I wish the birds and the participants the best .

I know i have got birds i/ve been feeding for years that are of no value except maybe being a replacement player on the bench at a farm team location .
If i could not afford to take care of them i would select another course .

Best To The Birds,
Shannon

 

[marktoo]

I was wondering if the farmer donated anything, at least the amount it would have cost him put down & dispose of all those hens. Somehow I don't think a rescue group will be stepping forward next time this happens.

 

[AlphaRoo45]

While I agree they should not just be killed for nothing there is plenty of homeless people in the USA that can't even get a good meal at a soup kitchen anymore so why not donate all them chickens to soup kitchens around the country.

 

[upthecreek]

!i wonder why they did not send some of the money to me ¿ oh how foolish they look not sending money to uses ¿ how manytimes i need to say to them ' how smart i am' ¿
if only i could control everyones affairs they would have nothing left to worry bout ¿

 

[Primo]

While I agree they should not just be killed for nothing there is plenty of homeless people in the USA that can't even get a good meal at a soup kitchen anymore so why not donate all them chickens to soup kitchens around the country.

Money, that's why. It would be cheaper to buy processed meat direct than sending these off to selectively process for soup kitchens. This is just a feel good story. I didn't read the whole story, but I am sure the "non profit" rescue folks were adequately compensated for handling these birds. Man has genetically manipulated these creatures to be his tool. Stories like this are a way to help him absolve his conscience for doing so.