The Truth About Factory Farming. *Graphic description*

[BallyFarm]

I don’t agree with factory farming and I think most honest human beings don’t either. I’m vegetarian because of a lot of reasons not just this one but their are plenty of ways to help feed the “other” people who don’t farm with out injecting our animals to make them grow faster or keeping them in inclosed spaces For those extra eggs.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don’t agree with factory farming and I think most honest human beings don’t either. I’m vegetarian because of a lot of reasons not just this one but their are plenty of ways to help feed the “other” people who don’t farm with out injecting our animals to make them grow faster or keeping them in inclosed spaces For those extra eggs.

I agree with most of that but chickens aren't injected with anything to make them grow faster. It was attempted around the 1940s but was found to be cost prohibitive and not as effective as genetic selection and optimal nutrition.
It takes a lot of manpower to inject 5 million broilers on a farm with hormones. - It isn't done.

 

[CCUK]

Well put.

I think another thing for people to try and wrap their heads around is the sheer numbers of animals involved.

Globally, 66 billion chickens are killed for meat each year. That's almost 150 million a day.
And that is just broilers. Same goes for egg type chickens. They hatch at a 50:50 ratio. Global laying hen population is 6.5 billion. So an equal number of the males are killed as hatchlings.
I don't recall the actual number now but a few years ago, Russia developed a poultry processing plant that could process (if memory serves) 2500 chickens an hour. That's just one plant in just one country.
I once worked in the feedmill industry. We programmed mills all over the world.
There was a closed facility in Singapore that hatched their own broilers, raised them on feed they produced from product that came into the facility by train. Feed went in and out the other end was prepackaged chicken bound for grocery stores in Europe. It was obviously a huge facility.

Those numbers a staggering!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

How about this: Type into google "factory farming". Then, once it loads, click on the images tab. You will see so many awful pictures!! Its simply terrible.

Hi there.

Chicken Canoe already made most the points that I had and more may be posted as I am typing.

I two was once appalled by those awful factory farming videos and reports... meant to outrage folks and telling only one side of the story. I disagreed with de-beaking and cages... until I saw what "free range" or "cage free" term actually meant and the need and how sometimes, unfortunately it is about choosing the lesser of the evils. I still don't agree with it, but I do understand a little better.

I saw one report that showed less lameness (a sign of suffering) in the animals of large holders than back yarders due to larger holders moving on less productive animals (for processing etc.) instead of trying to drag their life out thinking it's the kind thing to do. Ultimately WE decide what we will focus on.

That is why I encourage you raise as much of your own food as possible.

Raising my own food has been a lot of really hard work and not a cheap investment. Of course the pay of is huger than I can express! I get to have a closer understanding of the circle of life and my impact on it. I get the elation of knowing that an animal had a lot of really great days at my place and one bad moment that passed in an instant instead of being raised in commercial conditions. I get physical therapy and fitness from time spent tending as we as an emotional connection, reason to leave the house when it rains for days on end, peaceful mind, over all sense of well being... ALL the animals try to be close when I am out there. The different species of animals have shown me that they all go through a teen phase of acting out and then calm a bit with maturity once hormones level out... teaching me yet again how to be more accepting of my own young adult children and the process by which they sprout their own wings.

But wait... I always hated on people so bad thinking they are the worst. Are you kidding me?? Some species eat their young! Some males kill the young so they can mate the female again. Meerkat families will raid their neighbors den and kill all their young in competition for resources. These types of things have allowed me to be less hateful towards the human race. Less hate/anger means "good hormones coming"... according to my mother-in-love who also says "bad hormones feed cancer". She can be wise sometimes.

The main problem as I see it is human overpopulation.

I agree, and domestic pets add to it but by the time I realize it already raised two offspring and have pets galore. Now 20 & 28 both claim they don't feel the desire to "go forth and multiply". I wanted grand kids some day but respect and support, even encourage their choice.

can still make a difference by sourcing where there food comes from and make an informed choice. Look at how it was raised and make that choice to not buy factory farmed eggs or meat. You dont need to keep chickens to make a small but significant difference.

That's essentially what we try to do. Buy local, line caught wild fish, pasture raised, and humane certified.. or better yet Animal Welfare Approved if at possible financially. We also have reduced our consumption. We haven't completely gone non factory yet, cost is a huge factor... our mortgage isn't paid off, decisions must be made... not one single animal (or egg) that I have produced was cheaper out of my pocket than (bottom of the line not the organic humane stuff) store bought... and if it's a factor for me with more resources than the majority of my community.. I can see.. we gotta do OUR best, but don't beat ourselves' up about the rest.

I would say we can't change the industry.. But despite issues being complicated... educate oneself about the current laws and proposed changes.. and representatives or whoever or whatever comes up for election, and go VOTE!

Maybe keep an extra hen to share eggs with a less fortunate neighbor? Defray their factory egg purchase, make an ally, share a yummy fresh carton of eggs with someone who's never experienced them and feel extra warm inside!

Focus on the positive and build our communities from the inside out!

ETA: a lot of those males chicks no doubt end up in our pet feed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Beautifully put.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

...
I agree, and domestic pets add to it but by the time I realize it already raised two offspring and have pets galore. Now 20 & 28 both claim they don't feel the desire to "go forth and multiply". I wanted grand kids some day but respect and support, even encourage their choice.


...

My kids are 29 and 30. No grandchildren forthcoming. My daughter declared she wouldn't have kids when she was in high school. That may change but I don't care - the more I wrap my head around overpopulation.

There's a provocative albeit controversial movement. Self extinction.
It is natural for any species to try to procreate. However out ingenuity has give us unfair advantage over other species.
It isn't a sustainable path.
https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Voluntary_Human_Extinction_Movement
http://www.vhemt.org/

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don’t agree with factory farming and I think most honest human beings don’t either. I’m vegetarian because of a lot of reasons not just this one but their are plenty of ways to help feed the “other” people who don’t farm with out injecting our animals to make them grow faster or keeping them in inclosed spaces For those extra eggs.

I admire your generous and unselfish position. But "a total conversion to a plant diet would not be perfect either. The agricultural practices required to sustain human populations will still involve a negative impact on local wildlife. Carnivorous and omnivorous pets will still have to be fed somehow, through the slaughter of other animals." (From RationalWiki)
I have an acquaintance with a big dog who insists on feeding a vegetarian diet. It isn't going well for the dog's health.

 

[ShannonR]

Just my .02....

While factory farming is less than ideal, it is the cash-in on people who are against factory farming that angers me the most.

Do you know what "free range" commercial egg farms do? How about "pastured" chicken eggs?

These birds are most often raised in factory farm settings, maybe they are raised all on a floor together instead of in batt cages. Or maybe they have access to a miniscule patio outside that they don't know how to use. Or are tractored in enormous pens where they are packed in like peanuts. And these folks are selling eggs for several times what conventional eggs cost... there is little difference. It just makes the consumer feel good about it, at the expense of their pocketbook.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Just my .02....

While factory farming is less than ideal, it is the cash-in on people who are against factory farming that angers me the most.

Do you know what "free range" commercial egg farms do? How about "pastured" chicken eggs?

These birds are most often raised in factory farm settings, maybe they are raised all on a floor together instead of in batt cages. Or maybe they have access to a miniscule patio outside that they don't know how to use. Or are tractored in enormous pens where they are packed in like peanuts. And these folks are selling eggs for several times what conventional eggs cost... there is little difference. It just makes the consumer feel good about it, at the expense of their pocketbook.

X2
The US has a horrific track record for honest food labeling. The agriculture and food industry along with other industries like insurance, military/industrial complex tend to run congress.
Again, VOTE. Vote the complicit out of office.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I just don't like factory farms, and that is all I have to say.
I've seen enough about factory farms, and I don't like them at all - well, I hate them.
I'm gonna start raising meat birds any day now!