Local News Story Battery Hens

[farm_mom]

Yes, in many instances you choose to go without. You choose to pay for the expensive chicken and you make it last multiple meals. Then you cook the carcass and make a stock. You make things for yourself, or you buy/trade from those who've made them. And instead of buying the new tv made in China, you get the old freebee from freecycle, or go without completely. You're right, it isn't easy and it doesn't work in every instance, but you do the absolute best you can. I can choose to be responsible for my choices, for my consumerism, instead of blaming the system, the govt, or others.

 

[masschix]

I agree with Farm_Mom! I buy only American made vehicles to support our country, why not extend that to our everyday items?!?!?!

 

[dogzrule5]

I didn't watch the video but have seen some others on this subject. I get so upset about the way factory farming treats their animals, whether it is chickens, cows, pigs or anything else.

I'm not a radical but have been involved with animal rights for over 30 years in some form or fashion. Animals don't have to be treated this way for our consumption but I doubt it will ever change.

Every day that I get an egg or two from my three hens, I always tell the 'thank you'. I do appreciate them!

 

[Tutter]

I realize that a lot of the questions and statements are meant about the "average public", but I thought it worth mentioning that there *are* people who will pay a rather large percent of their income on eggs and meat which are more expensive, due to being raised in a way that they are confortable with. Still others simply choose to eat it less often, preferring other sources of protein, which they can more easily afford.

Likewise people not buying baked goods, going to restaurants, or fast food places.

It may surprise some to know that very common looking people (vs. the image of outerfringe, which it brings to mind for some.) sometimes choose to not participate in what they don't believe in. If those individuals want bread, they bake it, (made a lot easier these days with bread machines for some.) and do the same with cakes, and other treats, and do not choose to eat fast food.

Restaurants aren't that difficult. Some do not eat out. Others choose to order humanely raised animals/eggs, which are selling points for some restaurants, and still others order vegan choices, or fish.

We shouldn't assume that all people are chained to buying what they do not want. Some have already found ways to remove themselves from the loop, and many more have taken steps to change how much they need to participate. Like, oh, close to 10,000 people on this site...at least where eggs, and sometimes chicken meat, are concerned.

And the more each person learns, the more they tend to remove themselves from conventional meat and eggs. I've heard quite a few people on this site state that they were not aware of the full scope of the problem, and were disgusted enough to stop buying items they had been using up until this point.

Each of those people will also spend time educating others that they know.

 

[Reinbeau]

Tutter, you're absolutely right. I try very hard to know where the food I'm going to buy is coming from. I don't buy eggs from anywhere but a family farm, there are three in my area, there's no reason for me to go to the supermarket for eggs. They're between $2.50 and $3.00 a dozen and worth every penny. I'm still searching for a good local source for eating chickens, for now I buy them from the local health food store, which is pricey, I'm sure I can do better elsewhere. Someday I hope to grow my own meat birds. I read packages, I know what's in what I buy. Education is key, but that education has to be sought out, people needs to first know there's a problem and then hopefully they'll seek a solution, instead of continuing to be part of the problem.

Is money an issue for me? Of course it is. My husband is unemployed right now, I'm struggling starting out in a whole new career, so I'm pinching my pennies like the rest - but I care so much about our food, where it comes from and how it is raised that I do support the sources I've found that are sound. Cheap food isn't any good if it's not good for you, and factory farmed foods aren't good for anyone at all, just good for a corporate bottom line. I am not talking about family farms! Most all of them I've visited have been good places where people are trying to put quality food out as inexpensively as they can, but they've got to eat, too!