Venting About Factory Chicken Farming

[SueT]

In it's own way, BYC is the answer to those factory farms. BYC is the voice of a movement. Backyard chicken keeping is a movement and it's massive. It's people like us who are saving the world, one chicken (or one small flock) at a time...

 

[TheChiggens]

That's probably were a lot of the idea to raising BYC came from. Also because who does not like the joy of watching chickens!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

To the best of my knowledge...."Free-range" by industry standards means they have access to outside, they are still kept jam-packed in a warehouse-just like "cage-free", but who don't have outside access. Only "pasture raised" have more outside room to roam

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.

 

[CCUK]

Battery farms have been banned in UK. Now they are classed as caged hens. They have enhanced cages. That means they have an extra 20% more space in the cage than the old style battery cages. That is the equivalent to a post card worth of extra space. I support the BHWT in the UK. They are the largest of the rescue charities and have rehomed a staggering amount of ex battery hens. As I understand it, it is alot more difficult to rehome ex battery hens in the USA. The BHWT work with the farmers to try to improve the conditions that the chickens are kept in.

 

[TheChiggens]

That's so heartwarming to watch!

 

[FlyWheel]

When my hens aren't laying (my current flock won't start until February at least) I pay the extra for free range a.k.a. pastured eggs. The brand I get here is Nellies. It's worth the extra $2 or so just for the flavor alone.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I bought Nellie’s or Pete and Gerry’s before I had chickens. The pictures are beautiful (family farms) and the eggs are certainly better. But we don’t really know how “free range” they really are, since the law is so lax on this term, and also “cage free.”

I only have four, but I want to expand to be able to give away eggs to the food shelf. I saved up through late October and November, and was able to give my daughter and her family two dozen on Thanksgiving. She always wanted chickens but her city doesn’t allow them. Her daughter is fascinated by them at Grandma’s house, though!

This is how it should be!

 

[drumstick diva]

darling grand daughter.

 

[TheChiggens]

I bought Nellie’s or Pete and Gerry’s before I had chickens. The pictures are beautiful (family farms) and the eggs are certainly better. But we don’t really know how “free range” they really are, since the law is so lax on this term, and also “cage free.”

I only have four, but I want to expand to be able to give away eggs to the food shelf. I saved up through late October and November, and was able to give my daughter and her family two dozen on Thanksgiving. She always wanted chickens but her city doesn’t allow them. Her daughter is fascinated by them at Grandma’s house, though!

Yes, I do once in a while buy from nellies as well.

 

[TheChiggens]

It's worth the extra $2 or so just for the flavor alone.

That's one of the biggest problems not enough money for some people. I agree its worth to do that. But as @Peepsi said. Not everyone can.
We should have fundraiser so people can pay that extra 2 bucks!