Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[TropicalChickies]

Interesting. I fear it will result in greater importation of eggs from countries with even worse conditions for the hens (eg de-beaking allowed unlike Germany).

Unfortunately, Germany already has a reputation for hypocrisy when it comes to their own consumption patterns and "concern" for broader issues like animal welfare or deforestation.

For example, Germany is the second leading importer of Brazilian soybeans. The soybeans are used to feed pigs in German industrial pig farms. Germany is the leading producer and consumer of pig meat as a result.

Soybean farming in Brazil is causing deforestation of the Amazon on a massive and truly horrifying scale. More than two soccer fields per second are destroyed. This affects everyone. NASA scientists and the UN Foresight Briefs both conclude that stable rainfall patterns around the world are maintained by moisture generated by tropical forests in the equatorial belt.

But Germany, somehow, also promotes it's pig meat as a "clean, sustainable" product. And has just signed a EU agree to block products linked to deforestation.

Can you say "doublespeak"?

 

[Shadrach]

I have been told that in order to feed the over population of people, intensive monoculture farming is needed.

What I read is that there is in fact ample food currently and the problem is distribution and over consumption in parts of the world; greed essentially.

 

[TropicalChickies]

I have been told that in order to feed the over population of people, intensive monoculture farming is needed.

Indeed. You and many others. And yet, of the nine billion people on the earth, three billion are food insecure, and 1.5 billion are severely undernourished. In post industrialized countries, obesity -- which is just the other side of malnourishment-- is a top killer.

People say, "we need industrial monocultures to feed the world" as if that system were successful. It's a dismal failure.

Scientists estimate there are 40,000 to 80,000 species of edible foodstuffs, both wild and cultivated. Today, fewer than 200 cultivated plants contribute in a substantial manner to food production worldwide. Of these 200 food crops, only nine represent 66% of the total agricultural production.

Of the “top 9”, wheat, corn, soy, and sugar make up the bulk of production. These foods are starvation prevention at best. No one can live on wheat or corn alone. Those children in poor countries with the bloated bellies and bowls of WPA wheat mash show us that. So does the high incidence of diabetes and obesity in the developed world.

In regions like Eastern Africa and India, that did not have hunger on a massive scale before colonialism, and throughout Latin America, you will find huge protests, resentment, and movement against the monopolization of the food supply by the four corporations controlling it.

Only four corporations--a handful of billionaires-- control 92% of the seed supply, 86% of the associated patents, and nearly all of the agrochemicals needed for these seeds. This "we feed the world" mantra is their propaganda, and it's bullshit. It's all about power and money.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattl...-revolution-in-africa-has-failed-critics-say/

 

[TropicalChickies]

I think that's a great project but I think you'll find it a hard sell on this forum.

Well, I get that. The thing is that industrial monoculture farming also really sucks for farmers. In the US and Canada, and Western Europe, most are clinging to subsidies. The prices of bulk commodities is so low, farmers can't make their loan payments and end up selling out to the big consolidaters. A big part of my project is also showing the profitability and independence that comes with a more diversified cropping system. There's a lot of good headway being made by impact investors and pioneering farmers on this front. The folks resisting it are part of the post war agricultural boom when we thought chemicals would save the world. That's over. The "food" is crap, everyone is sick, one third of the people on the planet are hungry, and the family farm has been subsumed by mega corporations, and the farmers who are left are barely hanging on. Even in the most practical terms of money and livelihoods, we need to forge a path forward.

 

[TropicalChickies]

Anyhooo... I apologize for highjacking the thread with geopolitics and such. It's just that I actually am really invested in these matters. Watching the chickens is my solace and comfort. So... Back to chickens. Apologies.

 

[Shadrach]

Well, I get that. The thing is that industrial monoculture farming also really sucks for farmers. In the US and Canada, and Western Europe, most are clinging to subsidies. The prices of bulk commodities is so low, farmers can't make their loan payments and end up selling out to the big consolidaters. A big part of my project is also showing the profitability and independence that comes with a more diversified cropping system. There's a lot of good headway being made by impact investors and pioneering farmers on this front. The folks resisting it are part of the post war agricultural boom when we thought chemicals would save the world. That's over. The "food" is crap, everyone is sick, one third of the people on the planet are hungry, and the family farm has been subsumed by mega corporations, and the farmers who are left are barely hanging on. Even in the most practical terms of money and livelihoods, we need to forge a path forward.

I'm right alongside you, albeit on a much smaller scale and primarily concerend with trying to change peoples view of the chicken. My allotment plot is going to I hope, head in that direction, with fruit bushes, chickens weeding and feeding and crops suitable to the environment rather than, "oh that would be cool to grow."

 

[Shadrach]

Anyhooo... I apologize for highjacking the thread with geopolitics and such. It's just that I actually am really invested in these matters. Watching the chickens is my solace and comfort. So... Back to chickens. Apologies.

Post away but don't forget the tax!

Beats the crap out of how many smarties can you count.

 

[bruceha2000]

All the gooseberry bushes I moved look like they are going to make it now.I can't see me getting much fruit off them. The chickens are already eating the tiny buds.

I have one gooseberry plant and rarely get any fruit since the wild birds pick them off just as they get ripe. I'll need to rig up some sort of netting that won't get caught in the plant.

 

[Molpet]

Well, I get that. The thing is that industrial monoculture farming also really sucks for farmers. In the US and Canada, and Western Europe, most are clinging to subsidies. The prices of bulk commodities is so low, farmers can't make their loan payments and end up selling out to the big consolidaters. A big part of my project is also showing the profitability and independence that comes with a more diversified cropping system. There's a lot of good headway being made by impact investors and pioneering farmers on this front. The folks resisting it are part of the post war agricultural boom when we thought chemicals would save the world. That's over. The "food" is crap, everyone is sick, one third of the people on the planet are hungry, and the family farm has been subsumed by mega corporations, and the farmers who are left are barely hanging on. Even in the most practical terms of money and livelihoods, we need to forge a path forward.

Totally agree
I grow almost all my onions and potatoes. All my garlic, chard, and kale. Some of the other veggies.

I grow all my eggs and poultry meat , I mainly eat poultry.
In the past I traded turkey eggs for pork and beef. I'm still using that meat.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good afternoon one and all!

I am trying to decide where to grow veggies in raised boxes.

Temperature is in the 70s.

Have a great day!