Factory farms that use battery cages should be banned! The European Union has already banned them! These cages allow a living space of 8.5 x 11 inches for the hens entire life. Its so stressful for them that they peck and kill one another. The factory's answer to that is to debeak them-yes cut off one-third of their beaks. Because of the stressful lifestyle and close quarters they release stress hormones, which stimulates the growth rate of Salmonella, and lowers immune function. The factory's answer: feed millions of pounds of antibiotics to them. The primary source of Salmonella infection is eggs!! Purchase your eggs from cage-free, organic or free-range sources!!!!!!!!! Check out this site from the Humane Society. Cage-Free vs. Battery-Cage Eggs : The Humane Society of the United States. Cage-Free doesn't mean a great, totally stress-free life for the hen, but far better, according the Humane Society. Free range seems to be the best choice to provide environments that are harmonious, nutritive, and honor the most basic needs of the animals. If you google battery cage egg images, it will make you sick..........and aware ( if the above picture wasn't enough to sadden you).
Check out Nature's Yoke for cage-free sources. Read your egg cartons!
Check out Mother Earth News regarding free range eggs and their increased nutritional value!
This is a favorite poem written by William Carlos Williams. If he only knew.
The Red Wheelbarrow
so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens.
If the animal cruelty doesn't stop you from buying eggs from factory farms who use battery caged hens.......think of the health risks to you and your family.
Your thoughts?
Ross, S., Food for Thought, Holistic Nurs Pract 2006;24(3);169-5
Williams, W., Selected Poems, p 30.
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