Animals
- Mystery Solved
There are days when "tales" take place in a moment and I am lucky enough to have my camera ready to capture the moment. And then there are tales that unfold over a number of months.Today's tale is one that began last summer. It is a tale that...
- Spa Time
Today's post is short and sweet,due to the fact that yesterday's chore list was very long.I had many tasks to accomplish before today's farm visit by 28 pre-schoolersand their parents. I will definitely take pictures of this event...it should...
- The Long And The Short Of Egg Production
Currently, we have about 30 layers....producing about 15 (plus or minus) eggs a day. We have a dozen more Rhode Island Red adolescents that will begin to lay later this winter. The amazing thing to me is the variety of color and size that we get in any...
- To Market , To Market
Well, after months and months of waiting, our hens are finally laying enough eggs for us to market. I ordered these egg cartons and got busy with "Photo Shop" making labels for each. From here they get delivered to everyone on our "egg list". Fresh, free-ranging...
- The Business Of Eggs....
Now that Spring has arrived, not only are the chickens laying regularly, but now the ducks have begun egg production. What to do with all these eggs? We could eat them all, but our cholesterol levels might suffer. We give away dozens to friends and neighbors,...
Animals
Insanity
Yesterday I mentioned that I wanted to talk about some chicken insanity.
I am sure that you had hoped that I had a funny story to share with you.
Sorry, but....no... not this time.
I rarely get political about issues
unless they are related to animal welfare, the environment or health.
I try to keep this blog light-hearted and fun.
But, once in a while an issue comes along that gets my blood boiling,
and then I must share my thoughts.
My goal is to educate and to give you something to ponder.
So....let's begin.
Chicken Insanity
A couple of years ago I offered someone a dozen of our free range eggs to try.
His response to my offering was:
"No, I'd rather buy eggs from the grocery store...
they are cleaner than from a farm."
Ok.
Really?
Hopefully no one reading this blog feels the same.
But in the off chance that you do...keep reading.
If you are buying traditional eggs from a grocery store,
most likely they came from a place like this...
 |
| www.farmsanctuary.org |
If you are buying your eggs from a grocery store and they are labeled all natural, cage free,
most likely they came from a place like this...
 |
| http://humboldtsentinel.com |
If you are buying your eggs from a grocery store and they are labeled free range,
most likely they came from a place like this
and most likely their outdoor area is much smaller...
If you are buying your eggs from a grocery store and they are organic,
most likely they came from a place like above...
most likely with much less outdoor area...
the only difference being that they are fed organic feed.
While none of these pictures looks horrific
(I have spared you those pictures..of which there are plenty),
(I have spared you those pictures..of which there are plenty),
these types of living arrangements are nothing compared to chickens
who are allowed to run free on a farm with access to fresh air,
green grass and vegetation, and clean water.
The above pictures are the best case scenarios for each of these types of eggs producers.
Is it any wonder that there are salmonella tainted eggs from these industrial farms?
Industrial chickens lead stressed lives 24/7,
and this type of stress leads to disease and poor egg quality..
not to mention the fact that there is no regard given to the welfare of the animals.
No, these types of egg producers are factories more than farms.
At the present time, the FDA and the USDA (in order to safeguard our health )
are considering regulations to limit
are considering regulations to limit
the outdoor exposure of these factory chickens....and all egg producers...
including small farms that produce truly pastured poultry.
They are operating under the assumption that contact with wild birds causes salmonella.
(our chickens are exposed to wild birds, insects, and such every day...
they are healthy birds despite this)
While wild birds (all birds probably) may carry salmonella,
the government is proposing we throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Chickens would not be at risk for contracting disease in the first place,
if they did not live in deplorable conditions.
The FDA/USDA regulations will require that all outdoor areas for chickens
remain free of wild birds, flies, rodents, etc.
They suggest the use of enclosed porches, netting, fencing, concrete, sound cannons, etc. to prevent
intermingling of chickens with other creatures.
In essence, this regulation will put small farms who truly pasture their poultry out of business.
We, here at Bee Haven Acres will not be affected by this new body of rules,
as we are not USDA certified.
We sell to friends and colleagues who "get it."
But there are many small farms who are certified, who will not be able to
continue their free ranging practices.
But there are many small farms who are certified, who will not be able to
continue their free ranging practices.
Why is it that the regulatory bodies react to things with such a backwards approach.
I am sure it is due to the influence of agribusiness, who hopes to put small, organic
producers out of business.
What can we do?
1. Raise your own backyard chickens.
If you are on the fence about this issue and need some guidance, email me.
2. Give your commentary to the FDA/USDA via their website...
(shown in the first paragraph of this document which outlines their proposed regulations)
(interestingly..the regulations.gov page that allows you to comment is "down" more than it is up)
3. Find a small farmer who raises his own pastured poultry...
local growers markets may be a good place to start.
Buy local.
Sorry for being so long winded.
Tomorrow we will be back to the usual farm stories.
But, for today....let's do something about the way our food is being
industrialized!
Industrial egg production is just the tip of the iceberg.
- Mystery Solved
There are days when "tales" take place in a moment and I am lucky enough to have my camera ready to capture the moment. And then there are tales that unfold over a number of months.Today's tale is one that began last summer. It is a tale that...
- Spa Time
Today's post is short and sweet,due to the fact that yesterday's chore list was very long.I had many tasks to accomplish before today's farm visit by 28 pre-schoolersand their parents. I will definitely take pictures of this event...it should...
- The Long And The Short Of Egg Production
Currently, we have about 30 layers....producing about 15 (plus or minus) eggs a day. We have a dozen more Rhode Island Red adolescents that will begin to lay later this winter. The amazing thing to me is the variety of color and size that we get in any...
- To Market , To Market
Well, after months and months of waiting, our hens are finally laying enough eggs for us to market. I ordered these egg cartons and got busy with "Photo Shop" making labels for each. From here they get delivered to everyone on our "egg list". Fresh, free-ranging...
- The Business Of Eggs....
Now that Spring has arrived, not only are the chickens laying regularly, but now the ducks have begun egg production. What to do with all these eggs? We could eat them all, but our cholesterol levels might suffer. We give away dozens to friends and neighbors,...