Free Birds

My husband and I have 5 acres and plan to raise some chickens
mainly for the eggs. I can't bear the thought of eating chicken or
eggs produced by corporate farms because of the inhumane treatment
of the chickens. I am sorry to say, or maybe proud to say, that I
cannot nor will I kill a chicken and even though my husband was
raised on a farm and has killed 100s of chickens to eat and to
sell, I am reluctant to have him kill them. I guess this is a crazy
question, but is there a "humane" way to kill a chicken? How do I
rid myself of this anxiety?BillyeBlanchard, OK

My reason for wanting free range chickens as my source of eggs
has nothing to do with the treatment or handling of the birds, it
has to do with what they are fed! I don't like eating
chemicals!Most of you are aware that commercial chickens are fed an
altered feed to "beef them up" as it were. Well, I am one of the
professional drivers who used to bring the actual solution to the
feed producers to manufacture to new feeds. Abbott Laboratories is
one of the suppliers of a funky smelling light brown liquid called
"LSS" (liquid steriodal solution). This nasty stuff is the
by-product from producing female HGH (human growth hormone). It is
also added to other livestock. Have you noticed that many young
women develope very early and to extraordinary proportions? This is
why.David BrewsterAvalon Beach, FL

I need some advice on Pekin ducks. I have one female, three
males. After incubating 5 eggs, only one hatched?? I followed the
incubator directions, all looked good, but nothing happened with 4
of the eggs. Heidi Mason - Dunnellon, FL.

With bird flue on the move around the world, where and how are
domestic birds safer? Safer in coups or free range?

Some people don't want to hear the truth about how their meat or
vegetables get to their table. They turn a blind eye to the
suffering caused by mass production. I raise free range chickens
and sell the eggs in Piccadilly, Newfoundland on the east coast of
Canada. You wouldn't belive how many people don't buy my eggs
because they think it's dirty for chickens to eat bugs, flies and
good old grass and clover. Strang indeed.

The problem exists that people are immune from where their meat
and eggs actually come from. You go to the store and pick up any
sort of meat not giving it any thought as to where it came from.
Heck ask almost any child where meat comes from and they will tell
you the grocery store. We bought a small farm 2 years ago and raise
and slaughter all of our own meat including beef, chickens, lamb
and hogs. We have chickens and ducks that lay eggs and ones that we
butcher for meat. We raise these animals pretty much free range and
sell our excess eggs at the local farmers market or to our
neighbors. The duck eggs are especially desired by the bakers
because of the dark yolk and richness of the eggs.I believe
children need to be taught in school where these come
from.Chris

What would be your solution be to raise these birds and keep up
with the demand for the meat in the US?Are the farmers going to be
given more money to build appropriate facilites? It is the general
public and their demands that cause such things to occur. As well,
have you been to all the farms and seen how they are doing things,
or is this set up an example of the odd farmer?

Dear Mother,I never really gave any thought to the kind of
treatment chickens recieve until I started reading your magazine
and a couple of other well known magazines. I think it's sad that
most people,if asked, do not have a clue.I'm glad I've educated
myself and several family members,friends and most have already
made the switch to free-range eggs. Not only are the eggs more
nutritious, but it feels good knowing that there's not a chicken
stuffed in a tiny cage somewhere so that I can have my daily egg.
Animal abuse is animal abuse. I was recently given a hen and my
husband and I adore her and couldn't imagine her being confined in
such horrendous living conditions. She is one lucky hen. I firmly
believe that every animal deserves to be treated humanely, even
ones being raised for food purposes. They deserve dignity until the
end, as does any living creature. Thank you for continuing to
educate us on such important topics.Belinda Rogers

We now have a small (20) flock of chickens in our backyard right
in the city of Charlotte, NC. There were a few hurdles to make it
happen (like getting neighbors' OK for animal control permit,
etc.)The daily chores of feeding, letting the girls in and out of
their home and gathering delicious, wholesome eggs still warm for
our meals plus some to share with friends (who pay for the
girls'food and supplies) are surprisingly fun. The antics of our
girls are hilarious; their stress management value is
priceless.

Thanks for this wonderful article. Increasingly, consumers and
businesses are choosing to buy cage-free eggs once they learn about
the inherent cruelty of conventional egg production. If you’re
interested in cage-free eggs you can find them in most grocery
stores. Eggs from hens not confined in cages may be labeled
cage-free, Certified Organic, Certified Humane, or free-range. In
addition, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is happy
to help those in the retail or restaurant businesses find supplies
of cage-free eggs. Contact us at khughes@hsus.org.

My comment on Free Birds. "Balls"

I would like more information on the coming requirment to tag
and track all farm animals and how we as homesteaders can loby
against this.Kermit Robertson

What you really want for great health are eggs from free range
organic, pastures hens on high omega 3 diet from local source. Find
local sustainable food products at localharvest.org Alvin S from
Freeport MN into eggs since 1986

I work in a kitchen and would like to purchase free range eggs.
Do you have a list of companies that provide this in
bulk?Thanks

Very few of us have access to free range eggs. The public and
commercial users of eggs use eggs on the market. Great! There is a
need - it is filled in a free market. I don't agree with the free
chickens, beef, pigs or other free market filling of needs!Do what
you as an individual can, but the rest of the market place uses and
supports free market sources.

Question to "ree Birds".How can I find out what stores sell
these eggs? These are the stores in my town, Safeway, Smiths,Super
Wal-Mart, Bashas' and Albertson's. R.W.