Humans are strange creatures. They are able to separate their thinking:
one one side, to go all sentimental about baby chicks on Easter cards and cakes - "Ah, aren't they cute?!";
on the other side, deliberately to turn a blind eye to the reality of the poultry industry and buy eggs from a supermarket.
Sadly, even buying "free-range" eggs does not guarantee that the farm will deal compassionately with the unwanted male chicks.
The article is a good one. It is factually informative. This parts hits home: "Not a single federal law currently provides any protection to these birds at the hatchery, on the factory farm or during slaughter."
I usually avoid reading the comments below, as they are often argumentative and abusive, but this comment by a former worker showed just how common this practice is: "I worked in a hatchery many years ago, and have seen this happen. I had to quit because I couldn't handle the mortality rate of it all. Almost everyday I went home and cried. It was baby chicks and baby turkeys. Once the machines were all cleaned, if a batch of chicks got missed, the guys would tie them up in a garbage back and put them in the dumpster. I alerted the humane society and hopefully they are more closely monitored. It's heartbreaking!!"
The USA, sadly, is way behind Europe in terms of legislation to protect chickens - although even here, cruelty does still happen daily on a massive scale. No federal laws at all in the USA? That is incredible.
What is the position in Canada, Catherine?
one one side, to go all sentimental about baby chicks on Easter cards and cakes - "Ah, aren't they cute?!";
on the other side, deliberately to turn a blind eye to the reality of the poultry industry and buy eggs from a supermarket.
Sadly, even buying "free-range" eggs does not guarantee that the farm will deal compassionately with the unwanted male chicks.
The article is a good one. It is factually informative. This parts hits home: "Not a single federal law currently provides any protection to these birds at the hatchery, on the factory farm or during slaughter."
I usually avoid reading the comments below, as they are often argumentative and abusive, but this comment by a former worker showed just how common this practice is: "I worked in a hatchery many years ago, and have seen this happen. I had to quit because I couldn't handle the mortality rate of it all. Almost everyday I went home and cried. It was baby chicks and baby turkeys. Once the machines were all cleaned, if a batch of chicks got missed, the guys would tie them up in a garbage back and put them in the dumpster. I alerted the humane society and hopefully they are more closely monitored. It's heartbreaking!!"
The USA, sadly, is way behind Europe in terms of legislation to protect chickens - although even here, cruelty does still happen daily on a massive scale. No federal laws at all in the USA? That is incredible.
What is the position in Canada, Catherine?
