Instead of gassing old layers, the hens were rescued and flown to backyard homes. While I think not gassing California hens and rescuing them is fine, could they not have found new homes closer than the East coast? Maybe fewer commercial layers will be killed in the future.
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Your turn
Would you take old laying hens into your backyard? Why or why not? What do you think of this idea? Good grief! I do sound like a school teacher, constructing an essay test question!
Been there, done that, or at least my parents did, and it worked out fine.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush,
DeleteThanks for the affirmation.
That just strikes me as bizarre. Why would the egg farm gas them to begin with, when they could easily be turned into chicken nuggets? And if they really needed to be rehomed, why not give them away locally? Bizarre, bizarre, bizarre.
ReplyDeleteDad bought 'used up layers' when I was a kid. we'd keep them for another year or two for eggs, then eat them. If I knew somebody was going to replace their flock, I'd happily take a hundred or so.
Wendy,
DeleteGassing them is probably cheaper than caring. They are probably too tough for chicken nuggets or something. Maybe chicken pot pies?
It is bizarre to spend $43 to rehome a hen. Why so far away? was my question also. I suppose the people with the money or the charity needed to do something spectacular instead of just doing good.
I don't even know anyone who sells 'used up' layers. I might approach the chicken plants here and see what they do with old hens. I would take a few and really enjoy them seeing grass and the sky for the first time. I could not take a hundred, just two more. But, I bet people would like that many.
And, exactly why did they not want the hens eaten? If anyone was willing to dispense of them, why not?
You had to agree to not eat the birds...let them die of old age....there were plenty of folks willing to take them locally. In my opinion this was a publicity stunt for the animal rights group that flew them to New York.
ReplyDeleteLynda,
DeleteYou are probably right about it being a publicity stunt. PETA was a good idea that ran amok when zealots decided they had some control.
Yes, I would take some even if they don't lay eggs.
ReplyDeleteThey make wonderful pets and just to see them happy is worth the cost of the feed. Each hen has her own little personality. I have Evil Ethel who is the meanest hen you ever saw, but I love her dearly and she knows it.
Lazy Lucy is a charmer. Lavern & Shirley are my two cuties (and Charlie (the rooster) favorites. Ethel rules the roost and Charlie knows it!
Chickenmom,
DeleteChickens are sweet animals. And, they do have their own personalities. Chessie had a jumping stunt. Fancy talked to me all the time. Thelma and Louise sort of took turns being top hen. Now Patsy Cline is finding her place fast!
No doubt it is PETA or another similar group. I like animals ...... but flying older chickens across the nation is just a waste of resources.
ReplyDeleteWe need to be respectful of life but there is a limit to what is reasonable.
PS when I worked for Kraft/Oscar Mayer PETA was always hanging over our shoulders. Their tactics .... particularly towards children are appalling.
Not only that .... 1/2 of those PETA protesters are wearing necklaces, bracelets, belts, shoes or jackets made of leather. PETA gets college kids pumped up and uses them. At Kraft we were taught to be totally non confrontational but in my heart I wanted to bitch slap a couple of them. I'll lay money that when they went home on break they asked for their Mom's pot roast.
DeleteThey prey on the fears of children and their love of animals?
DeleteOh, yes. Didn't they catch a PETA activist being cruel to animals, also?
College kids are ripe for exploitation, anyway. I doubt most of them even care, just get caught up in the moment, came with friends, girlfriends, need something to be passionate about.
I will keep mine even once they are done laying. They are great aeriators and pest control.
ReplyDelete