These cages are a compromise between efficient, large-scale production and letting chickens do some things that they seem to really like.Īt the JS West farm, south of Modesto, one chicken house already has these cages. The law was formally introduced this week.Īs a minimum, the chickens would have to be held in so-called enriched cages - a style developed in Europe. In early July, the two sides announced that they had reached an agreement to jointly lobby Congress for new federal rules that would phase out all traditional chicken cages within 15 years. Shapiro says it was a chance to have an impact on the welfare of chickens all across the country, including in states where animal-rights activists weren't likely to get any new regulations passed. To the astonishment of many, the Humane Society was willing to talk. So we reached out to the Humane Society and said, 'Let's have a conversation about this,' " says Gregory. "It was going to be a nightmare, trying to produce eggs and have a free flow of eggs across state lines. Gene Gregory, president of United Egg Producers, which represents companies that produce about 95 percent of the country's eggs, says it looked like the industry would have to satisfy dozens of different - as well as confusing - state requirements. On top of that, similar voter initiatives passed in other states. Does it mean that chickens have to be cage-free? Does it just mean bigger cages? How big is big enough? Regulators in California have provided no answers. This may sound simple, but egg producers say it has created paralysis, because they have no idea what it requires. 2 says is that laying hens must be able to stand up, lie down, turn around and fully extend their limbs. In 2008, voters there overwhelmingly approved a proposition that the Humane Society of the U.S. Here in the U.S., California took the lead. Major food retailers, especially in northern Europe, have gone further, and now sell only eggs from cage-free operations, where hens run around loose in barns. The directive finally took effect this year, on New Year's Day. In 1999, the European Commission approved a directive that orders egg producers to give their chickens almost twice as much room. They made egg production possible on an unprecedented scale, delivering cheap eggs to consumers.īut over the past few years, the situation has changed dramatically. For egg producers, the cages made economic sense. "These are living, feeling, sentient animals who are caught up in the food system, and at a bare minimum, they deserve not to be tortured for their entire lives not to be immobilized to the point where they can't even extend their limbs."ĭespite their outrage, though, advocates of animal welfare weren't able to do much against the cages. "These birds can't even spread their wings," says Paul Shapiro, a senior director at the Humane Society of the United States. To be sure, the air in this building is pretty clean (especially considering that 150,000 chickens live in it), the temperature is comfortable, and the hens don't have to worry about foxes eating them.īut ever since cages became standard in the egg industry some 50 years ago, many people have been horrified by them. "When they're just sort of clucking away, making that sound, that's the sound of happy chickens." John Bedell, who's in charge of egg production at this site, says the chickens are not being mistreated. in Modesto, Calif., each hen has, on average, 67 square inches - less than the area of a standard sheet of paper. At the henhouse that I visited recently, owned by a family-run enterprise called JS West and Cos. Each cage holds about eight hens, and they're packed in pretty tightly. Make sure you are in BurningMan 2.Some background: Ninety percent of America's eggs are laid by chickens that live in long rows of metal wire cages. It won’t be April Fools without you! There are no Bystanders! We open 3/31 with a special Center Camp, DJs and music, wild crazy events, pranks, wackiness, and fun. We will be LANDRUSHING these gift plots 3/17 at 08 SLT! One plot per RL person! We have fifty 512 plots for campers to landrush and build on, make art, make a chill space, do a performance, or just pitch a tent. This is a mini-Burn event on BURNING MAN Deep Hole sim from March 31 to April 1. Hey there Burners! Ready to giggle in a gaggle? Play jokes over on the Playa? Put your boots and dust masks and water together, because it is time for April Fools Day!
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