albngore
In the Brooder
I have raised chickens and lots of other livestock for 50 years in SW Idaho and used Backyardchickens.com for advice and information dozens of times. I figured it was time to become an official member.
I think chickens are one of the most continuously interesting farm critters--and I have raised cattle, hogs, sheep, ducks and chickens for a long time. They are way more intelligent than Americans give them credit for. If a person watches them, then he or she will know that in short order. Factory confined-egg laying operations are and have always been criminal enterprises. Nationwide, these constitute condoning animal cruelty.
I have nothing in the least against commercial meat and egg production. I eat chickens and I eat eggs. What I do strenuously object to is subjecting any animal to a poor life before the end of its life--whether that end might be for eggs or meat.
When I used to sell meat, I always told my customers that my animals had only one bad day in their lives. That was the day I killed them. Sometimes in years past, I killed 50 chickens at a time for meat. I cannot even kill one chicken up close now. I have to shoot them from a distance--and then, only to get rid of roosters. Few people want barnyard-mix roosters. There is virtually no chance of giving them away.
Thanks to all on this site. I am heartened by those here who wish to do the best job they can for their chickens. Likewise, I am appalled by those who are so ignorant that they keep chickens--or any other livestock for that matter--without the slightest effort to glean the minimal knowledge to begin.
I think chickens are one of the most continuously interesting farm critters--and I have raised cattle, hogs, sheep, ducks and chickens for a long time. They are way more intelligent than Americans give them credit for. If a person watches them, then he or she will know that in short order. Factory confined-egg laying operations are and have always been criminal enterprises. Nationwide, these constitute condoning animal cruelty.
I have nothing in the least against commercial meat and egg production. I eat chickens and I eat eggs. What I do strenuously object to is subjecting any animal to a poor life before the end of its life--whether that end might be for eggs or meat.
When I used to sell meat, I always told my customers that my animals had only one bad day in their lives. That was the day I killed them. Sometimes in years past, I killed 50 chickens at a time for meat. I cannot even kill one chicken up close now. I have to shoot them from a distance--and then, only to get rid of roosters. Few people want barnyard-mix roosters. There is virtually no chance of giving them away.
Thanks to all on this site. I am heartened by those here who wish to do the best job they can for their chickens. Likewise, I am appalled by those who are so ignorant that they keep chickens--or any other livestock for that matter--without the slightest effort to glean the minimal knowledge to begin.
Everyone is super nice and you'll feel like friends with everyone!!
