Wednesday, June 01st, 2011
Author: KristenM
Changes for Oregon chickens have been brewing in Salem this week.
On Wednesday the 25th, the Oregon Senate decided the chickens who lay our eggs should have bigger cages. The plan takes effect over the next 15 years, so even if today’s chickens have all kicked the bucket by then, at least their granddaughters or great granddaughters will enjoy a little more elbow room. (Here’s that story.)
….
THE POINT
Till now, we’ve been talking just about Oregon chickens. But the situation is broader than that. Factory-farmed animal products – meat, milk, eggs – are everywhere, to such an extent that if you’re in a store looking at an animal product, you’re safe to assume it’s factory.
And no matter how big a bone the factory system throws to those advocates for animal welfare, it’s still going to fall short. No matter how big the cage gets, the fact is, the natural condition of a chicken is not a cage.
This “natural condition” thing is a pillar in the very definition of “humane,” according to Certified Humane®, a label that puts in print what it means to treat farm animals in a kind and responsible way. The idea is that animals should be allowed to engage fully in their natural behaviors. Cows are evolved to graze. Pigs are made to root around. Chickens have wings, and they’re meant to flap them. A chicken in a cage can’t do that; nor can it dust-bathe, brood or do anything else chickens naturally do.
IN THE MEANTIME
Take action, dear reader. There’s a lot you can do right now, even short of a comprehensive, systemic reform in egg farming.
• Research your egg brand. If you can’t find evidence its hens are humanely kept, they’re not.
• Search localharvest.org for pastured eggs in your area, and consider buying from a small farm nearby.
• If you have a yard, consider keeping your own chickens. Visit backyardchickens.com to decide if a small flock is right for you.
• Look for the “Certified Humane®” label. Visit certifiedhumane.org to learn what their standards are, who meet these and where you can find them on the shelf.
Educate yourself. Weigh what it means to you. Then, whatever your conclusions may be, act on them.
http://www.foodrenegade.com/meaningful-egg-labeling/
Food Renegade
Posted: June 1, 2011 by Certified Humane
Wednesday, June 01st, 2011
Author: KristenM
Changes for Oregon chickens have been brewing in Salem this week.
On Wednesday the 25th, the Oregon Senate decided the chickens who lay our eggs should have bigger cages. The plan takes effect over the next 15 years, so even if today’s chickens have all kicked the bucket by then, at least their granddaughters or great granddaughters will enjoy a little more elbow room. (Here’s that story.)
….
THE POINT
Till now, we’ve been talking just about Oregon chickens. But the situation is broader than that. Factory-farmed animal products – meat, milk, eggs – are everywhere, to such an extent that if you’re in a store looking at an animal product, you’re safe to assume it’s factory.
And no matter how big a bone the factory system throws to those advocates for animal welfare, it’s still going to fall short. No matter how big the cage gets, the fact is, the natural condition of a chicken is not a cage.
This “natural condition” thing is a pillar in the very definition of “humane,” according to Certified Humane®, a label that puts in print what it means to treat farm animals in a kind and responsible way. The idea is that animals should be allowed to engage fully in their natural behaviors. Cows are evolved to graze. Pigs are made to root around. Chickens have wings, and they’re meant to flap them. A chicken in a cage can’t do that; nor can it dust-bathe, brood or do anything else chickens naturally do.
IN THE MEANTIME
Take action, dear reader. There’s a lot you can do right now, even short of a comprehensive, systemic reform in egg farming.
• Research your egg brand. If you can’t find evidence its hens are humanely kept, they’re not.
• Search localharvest.org for pastured eggs in your area, and consider buying from a small farm nearby.
• If you have a yard, consider keeping your own chickens. Visit backyardchickens.com to decide if a small flock is right for you.
• Look for the “Certified Humane®” label. Visit certifiedhumane.org to learn what their standards are, who meet these and where you can find them on the shelf.
Educate yourself. Weigh what it means to you. Then, whatever your conclusions may be, act on them.
http://www.foodrenegade.com/meaningful-egg-labeling/
Category: news