Venting About Factory Chicken Farming

[CCUK]

Free range or organic doesnt always mean what you think. Free range fir factory farmed chickens is they "might" get to stick thier head out a window for 2 mimutes. Organic can mean they get feed corn without antibiotics in it. The definitions for those two terms are very vague and the factory farms do just enough to make the USDA happy.

Correct. Free range or organic doesn't mean jack. Only pasture raised means they have had a good quality of life. The best is if you can raise your own or you know someone that does. Then you will know for sure how the hens have been raised.

 

[Rammy]

Yah this is considered free range.

Also guidelines for "free range"
https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2...-new-free-range-egg-guidelines-lo_a_22059101/

SO sad... But I guess when you treat an animal like all its there to do is produce for mankind. Than it would be easy to do this.


In my opinion free range should always be out in the fresh air were they have contact to the natural world without being crammed together.

I know we all lament about the mass production methods used to supply the population with food but we are just as guilty about supporting these farms because if it. If more people went back to raising and growing thier own food, became more self sufficient, its possible these factory farms would not be needed. Personally, I feel that all those male chicks that are killed at birth could be raised for food instead.

 

[TheChiggens]

Agreed we are the reason these farms still exist.
And that's why I don't support factory farms by not buying these products.

 

[CCUK]

Unfortunately whilst we can still buy chicken from the supermarket for less than the cost it would take to buy and raise your own it will be difficult to get more people especially those on low incomes to buy slightly more expensive meat or eggs. A couple of dollars or a few pounds makes all the difference in alot of people's shopping budget. There needs to be more awareness of the conditions and maybe that will change people's shopping habits. As poultry keepers we are more aware of this and can make a small difference. But for your average Joe it's just too difficult or expensive.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Correct. Free range or organic doesn't mean jack. Only pasture raised means they have had a good quality of life. The best is if you can raise your own or you know someone that does. Then you will know for sure how the hens have been raised.

I know it's still not best (it's actually disturbing) practice and that is one of the many reasons that I have my own pullets now. I will be thrilled to not give my hard earned money to anyone that can treat animals in such an awful manner. If I run out of my girls eggs, I've been fortunate enough to connect with other local chicken Keepers and will attempt to purchase eggs from them.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Free range or organic doesnt always mean what you think. Free range for factory farmed chickens is they "might" get to stick thier head out a window for 2 mimutes. Organic can mean they get feed corn without antibiotics in it. The definitions for those two terms are very vague and the factory farms do just enough to make the USDA happy.

Hi! That's been pointed out numerous times and I thank each one of you for educating me. I'm always up for learning, so I sincerely appreciate anyone taking time from their life to help clear things up. I really love BYC! I copied my reply to paste it here, but I wanted to express my gratitude first. Thank you all so so much!

I know it's still not best (it's actually disturbing) practice and that is one of the many reasons that I have my own pullets now. I will be thrilled to not give my hard earned money to anyone that can treat animals in such an awful manner. If I run out of my girls eggs, I've been fortunate enough to connect with other local chicken Keepers and will attempt to purchase eggs from them.



Edited to add that my girls have been working so hard. I just noticed that I have 2 dozen eggs from my sweet pullets and that's not including eggs collected today. This is wonderful!

 

[SueT]

My girls are on their winter sabbatical, so I get these eggs from Natural Grocers. This has to be a big operation but they have taken steps to make it better than the average factory farm. The stores sell the eggs for $1.99 dozen.

 

[TheChiggens]

Looking good!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

My girls are on their winter sabbatical, so I get these eggs from Natural Grocers. This has to be a big operation but they have taken steps to make it better than the average factory farm. The stores sell the eggs for $1.99 dozen.
View attachment 1976901 View attachment 1976902

How can you raise chickens for eggs in that way and people pay $1.99? Does not make sense.

 

[TheChiggens]

Yah as us owners of poultry know all the work of growing them the humane way! And its a lot!