A new cause for me: Ex-bat hens [Archive]

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The Storyteller

8-7-12, 9:10pm

Or, former battery cage hens from a factory farm.

Last week I got news that a small scale Oklahoma egg farm (25,000 birds) was getting ready to unload some of its hens ranging 18 to 24 months old for $1 apiece. I figured this was a cheap way for me to up my laying flock. I had heard they were at least cage free. Big farms consider 24 months to be the point at which hens start to drop off in production and so not worth keeping any longer. The feed to egg conversion rates tend to worsen. For me, however, it is economical to pick up a good laying hen for that cheap and have it up my production level immediately. It costs $14 just to raise a pullet to laying age on average, and that doesn't count the cost of the chick. Older hens average $17 at auction. Selling eggs at $3 and $4 a dozen with the cost of feed what it is, it takes a long time for a bird to pay for itself.

When I arrived yesterday to pick them up, it turns out they weren't expecting anyone yet, as the sale date was actually later in the week. So, they hadn't yet secured the blinds, and I could plainly see they were in battery cages. These are small cages with 5 to 6 birds to a cage, with room for each bird about the size of a sheet of 8x11 paper. Basically not even enough for them to turn around easily. These hens spend their entire adult lives up to that point in these conditions. Their beaks are clipped or trimmed to prevent injury due to pecking.

As a result, their legs are weak, their feathers look thin, combs bleached due to lack of sun and extra large even for a Leghorn. They don't roost or move around like normal chickens, and can't stand to be in the open but have be in close physical contact with several other chickens. That was the life they knew. I'm sure I will find other odd things about them in the coming days.

My goal is to nurse them along to the point where they can be on pasture with the larger flock. Right now they wouldn't know what to do on grass, and it is doubtful they would even know to chase bugs. The big layers would eat them alive (figuratively speaking) because they have no clue what a pecking order is or how it is established. They will need to learn those skills, gain leg strength to the point where they can get up and down off roosts, and be able to run away from what are obviously going to be larger more powerful hens. They are so weak I can't even risk putting a rooster with them to train them in some of these skills, because he might accidentally harm them when he mounts. A friend is loaning a couple of his banty roosters, as he feels they could handle those.

Once they have gained strength and the required skills, I will then put them on pasture with the other flock so they can live the way chickens are supposed to live.

I will be picking up another 60 or 70 on Thursday on the regular sale date. I have decided that at least half to two thirds of my future flocks will be made up of these type of rescues, if I can find some brown egg layers to augment the white. The rest will be dark brown and blue-green layers, as we like colorful egg baskets. After the birds are fully rehabilitated and have made a contribution to production on our farm, after say a year, we will rehome them for $2 and $3 apiece as fully viable and still fairly young laying hens for backyard flocks.

To be replaced by more battery caged, factory farmed misfits.

We originally moved out to the country to provide our own food and opt out of the factory farm systems. We didn't want to contribute to the inhumanity toward and unethical treatment of animals that we saw in those systems. We then began raising birds and selling eggs and meat, to give others in our community the ability to the same. We figured that by doing this, there would be just a bit fewer animals that would suffer through those lifestyle. Now, we are going a logical extension, by actually taking animals out of those systems and giving them a good, more natural life. Ironically, they will then be able to contribute to folks opting out of the very system from which they came.

It is a very satisfying feeling.

The Storyteller

8-7-12, 9:23pm

Here is a short PBS video on various chicken production systems like free range, cage free, and pastured. There is a brief description of battery cage systems at the beginning.

http://video.pbs.org/video/2233336974

bunnys

8-7-12, 10:38pm

Well, I'm a vegan so ultimately I'd like to see the end of animal domestication on all levels.

But I think what you're doing for these animals so that the bulk of their lives is spent in relative normality and free from cruelty is commendable. I hope they come along nicely and can recover from the first 2 years of their miserable existences.

I wish people who consume factory farmed animal products were aware of how the animals are treated so that they can enjoy their 99 cent cheeseburgers and Chicken McNuggets. Probably a lot less meat would be produced and consumed which would be better for all parties involved on SO MANY LEVELS!

Keep up the good work. On the balance you are doing a kind thing.

razz

8-8-12, 7:36am

lhamo

8-8-12, 10:32am

peggy

8-8-12, 10:38am

The Storyteller

8-8-12, 1:38pm

I wish people who consume factory farmed animal products were aware of how the animals are treated so that they can enjoy their 99 cent cheeseburgers and Chicken McNuggets. Probably a lot less meat would be produced and consumed which would be better for all parties involved on SO MANY LEVELS!

I couldn't agree more. And for what it is worth, if I ever become unable to opt out of factory farmed meat, I will turn vegan, as well.

And thank you.

The Storyteller

8-8-12, 1:42pm

May I suggest that you up their oyster shell intake initially as that seems to be where the food supply was lacking, if I remember correctly.

Calcium they get. It is protein that they mostly lack. No need for muscle building if they don't walk, only sit on their haunches. Part of the reason for the feather picking. But I have my own feed mixed and always make sure it is at least %5 oyster shell.

These folks mill their own feed, as well, and they add no hormones or antibiotics, for which they deserve some kudos.

The Storyteller

8-8-12, 1:52pm

You should pitch this to Hollywood as the sequel to Chicken Run -- only this time all the factory farmed chickens will be in a mad dash to see who can be the first to escape to your rehab joint! Well done, storyteller.

lhamo

Thank you, lhamo. I brought 25 to a fellow farmer at the farmers market this morning and they were quite the show. Folks left their booths to come look at the poor things. Made for some interesting talk. None of the chicken people had ever seen anything quite like them.

The little girl who will be caring for them (she runs the egg side of their business, momma does the vegies) couldn't wait to get them home to give them some much needed TLC. Poor things might die of shock from all the sudden kindness.

I have also convinced another egg producer who runs a decent outfit where they will at least be outside as much as they want to take some. So, I'm going to bring as many home tomorrow as I can safely fit in my big air conditioned van without stressing them too much, keep some and give the rest to him. He is willing to take up to 200, but I won't get nearly that many out.

I got an email last night from the manager of the place to pick them up before 10 tomorrow because after that they will be "getting rid of them", whatever that means. Wish I could do more.

The Storyteller

8-9-12, 8:50pm

So are you saying that this factory farm is selling it's eggs as 'cage free'? Kind of dishonest isn't it for them? I mean, isn't that false advertising? If they are, I would be inclined to blow the whistle on them. Of course, then they might not sell you any more chickens..:(

Actually, that was just my misunderstanding. They do sell eggs from cage free chickens as well as caged, and I thought they were selling the cage free ones.

I enlisted the assistance of two other farmers market egg producers and today rescued an additional 204 caged birds. We finished loading the last of them about 9:30. Tyson Foods came and picked up the rest of the 4,000 at 10:00 for a dime apiece.

I noticed today that 3 of their 5 barns looked like they had been gutted. I met one of the owners today. Very nice guy. He was actually very excited to hear what we were planning to do with his birds. Reminded me of the pig farmer in FRESH the movie (http://www.freshthemovie.com/). Even looked and talked like him.

He explained why the three buildings were like that. He now only has one barn that is caged. The other is cage free, and the other three are being renovated to accommodate a cage free system. They are going through the normal rotation for for the caged barn, but not replacing the birds as they rotate out. Once the barn is empty, that will be it. No more caged birds, all of them cage free. In the more distant future they are going to experiment with pastured poultry, which is where they ironically began many years ago by his grandfather. I had been worried about him finding out about our system, because I hate to embarrass or needlessly antagonize anyone. I needn't have worried. He was quite proud of his associations with pastured producers in the state and started ticking off names one after another.

This farm is able to do this because there is a market for these products. He can make a living by doing the right thing, and that is because people are voting with their wallets. They are making these sorts of changes possible by making them financially viable for the small producer. Most of the other small timers aren't so lucky. They sold their souls to the agrigiants, and so must cater to their whims. There is only one other mid size producer in the state of Oklahoma, and he is starting to move in the same direction as this farm is.

That is why our shopping decisions are so important. If you can't buy pastured, buy free range. If not free range, then cage free . And always always, eschew the giants and go with the little guy whenever possible.

One last thing... yes, pastured is probably the most humane system, but don't totally believe that little film clip I posted. There is a world of difference between cage free and caged. There is no other domesticated animal I can think of with a more miserable lifestyle than a battery cage hen.

Gregg

8-10-12, 9:35am

The Storyteller

8-12-12, 7:59pm

Not to be negative butyou may need to plan on considerable losses as their limbs will be twisted from the cages that I have seen on a family farm. Kudos to you for giving them a longer life. May I suggest that you up their oyster shell intake initially as that seems to be where the food supply was lacking, if I remember correctly.

Calcium they get. It is protein that they mostly lack. No need for muscle building if they don't walk, only sit on their haunches. Part of the reason for the feather picking. But I have my own feed mixed and always make sure it is at least %5 oyster shell.

You know, I stand corrected. And you are correct. They were apparently fed 34% to 37% protein and based on the paper thin egg shells, not much calcium. We have had losses, but they were due to heat (110 degrees) and piling up and bunching up in the corners, because they just aren't used to being out of close physical contact withe multiple birds. They are slowly adjusting, now wandering around the coop and gazing out the screen doors. A couple even tried to squeeze through to (dare I say?) freedom.

So, it's time to move them out onto "pasture"... basically, out my back door and into pasture shelters under the big shade trees, with electro netting around them to keep them contained and the other free range chickens from bothering them or eating their food. I'm going to keep the doors on the shelters closed for a couple of days, then let them out into the portable 3,200 sqf enclosure to see how they do. I think it will be quite a while before we move them out onto the real thing, but we will see.

It's odd. I love birds, and love working with them, but it has been a long time since I have felt this attached to any. They are so pathetic and beaten up. For instance, because they have never been allowed to scratch and have only stood on wire cage flooring, there has never been an opportunity for them to scratch in the dirt. Not only is that instinct and a way to find food, it also keeps their nails worn short, Their nails are 3 to 3 and a half inches long.

I worry. I check on them constantly.

The Storyteller

8-12-12, 8:13pm

Very cool Storyteller. Will this (or other) supplier have a regular enough rotation of their flock to always have these hens available? With 25K birds I'm guessing so, but just curious if this is a dependable enough supply to keep you going.

You know, Gregg, I hope there comes a day when there are no battery cage birds to be found.

Then we'll start with the "cage free" ones. :)

But to answer the question, I have found at least two other farms (one in OK and one just across the Texas border) that do their rotations the same way. I'm sure I'll have plenty of sources for them. Question is, how many can I actually take? With only 8 acres and my meat bird and turkey projects, I'm thinking not that many. We may need a bigger spread.

We are also thinking about having a Free Chicken Giveaway a couple of times a year at our booth at the farmers market, where we give families up to 2 chickens (so they won't be lonely) that are three years old and still laying. Folks in the local town are allowed up to 12 in their back yard. We take a few cages to the market, first come first serve, but then folks can come and pick up their birds on-farm. Not only is it good publicity, it is a good way to rehome these rehabilitated birds, and promote sustainability as well. We would expect any additional to sell easily over CL.

iris lily

8-12-12, 8:43pm

My friend who has a tiny yard, truly, it's a matter of about 10' x 10' loves chickens and wants me to get some. Tonight she passed on a brochure from two guys who are in the chicken business, the chicken RENTAL business. For $22 a month you can get a coup. You then buy chickens. She is excited about this ha ha. But while I am interested in the idea of chickens, I know that our rescue dogs would cause them harm.

The Storyteller

8-12-12, 9:54pm

That's okay, Iris Lilly. You rescue the dogs, I'll rescue chickens.

We can't save everybody. :)

ETA
And you are right. Rent (LOL) a coop for a 10x10 yard? That IS a coop! :)

Float On

8-12-12, 10:28pm

The Storyteller

8-13-12, 6:15pm

I can't remember if it was on here or facebook or where but someone posted some rescued battery hen videos. It was amazing to watch the hens go from total fear to learning how to scratch to enjoying catching their first bug.

That would be really cool to watch. If you run into it again, please post it here. I would like to see it.

Speaking of vids, I have seen videos of battery cage operations and the birds in them many many times. The ones they tend to show are the most gruesome and graphic they can find. It wasn't nearly is horrible looking in real life. And yet, it had a much deeper emotional impact on me. Especially now, seeing even the aftereffects of those living conditions.

greenmimama

8-20-12, 4:38pm

I enjoyed that video you posted, from PBS.

This is what we want to do also, well Pasture raise them I mean. I wonder if any of the egg farmers around here get rid of there birds at 24mo? I could maybe help some of them also.

Thanks for sharing

awakenedsoul

8-29-12, 9:56pm

That is great, what you're doing, the Storyteller. I rescued a pot bellied pig who had been living under a trailer her whole life. She was enormous, blind, (from the fat around her eyes,) and her hooves were really long and gnarly. It took two years, but she lost the weight, I had her hooves trimmed once a year, and she was able to see again and enjoy my mini farm.

I adopted a couple of chickens from a neighbor 15 years ago. One of them is still alive. They are such sweet, sensitive animals. I keep Jillian in her coop now, because we have a pair of falcons nesting in my poplar tree. I don't think it's safe for her to free range at her age. We get red tailed hawks, too. She seems happy there. She has French doors, a roosting branch, and a screen, so she can see the garden. I feed her treats and fresh veggies.

It will be so rewarding when these birds you adopted heal. I wish I could adopt a couple.