I really should have titled this the same way I found it
on Care2 -"You're Eating Chicken Poop." However, I found
the thought quite revolting and was sure other readers
would too. Would they take the time to read such a post
with that title? But then again, I did.
First if true, it certainly is not the poor chickens' fault
who are incarcerated in tiny cages with other long-suffering
hens. How often have you read about their suffering? Has
it ever made any difference to you personally?
I'm afraid that it seems that most people really don't care
about farm animal suffering. If they really did -one of two
things would be happening - either they would decide to
become vegetarian or vegan or they would be lobbying Congress
en masse to dismantle the CAFOs from hell. Of course, neither
is happening. Does that not make us basically an uncaring
populace?
And what are our chances anyway to lobby for the alleviation
of animal suffering? When I thought about Sandy Hook and that
massacre, I thought surely the gun lobby would give in to
the proposed changes which would probably greatly help from
making this happen again. Well, I was wrong. Many gun enthusiasts
are still fighting tooth and nail against any meaningful changes.
I already knew that many of them don't care about animals since
so many of them are hunters finding "sport" in killing innocent
deer, geese, etc., but to seemingly not care about children?
If you eat chicken, how will you feel about eating some chicken
with poop that is not evident to the eye? The article starts
with something I found quite surprising. In Wichita, Kansas a
lip balm was being marketed called "Chicken Poop." The promoters
thought it would spark i nterest in their product- though, of
course, the balm had a disclaimer on it- "Contains no poop."
I don't know about you- but I would not be drawn to a product
with such a name. However, if you eat chicken, the Physicians
for Responsible Medicine has asked the USDA to put fecal
contamination warning labels on chicken products. The chicken
you buy may pass the eyeball test, but does that make it free
of fecal contamination?
According to the PCRM - a federal inspector said, "We often see
birds going down the line with intestines still attached, which
are full of fecal contamination. It is more than reasonable to
assume that once the bird gets in the chill tank, that
contamination will enter the water and contaminate all of the
other carcasses in the chiller. That's why it is sometimes
called 'fecal soup.'"
Hopefully, the PCRM succeeds in getting warning labels placed
on chicken products. How many people will then want to buy
"poopy" chickens? You may also think about the other reasons
not to buy chicken or even beef. Both are raised on factory
farms where they are fed antibiotics, ground up remains of
their fellow species, and in the case of cows, are given the
bovine human growth hormone.
If ever there were good reasons to disband the CAFOs, certainly
the above information should te sufficient to do so. And for
people who care about animal suffering, they know that animals
on these farms are kept in tight, close quarters only being able
to move a few feet their entire lives. I truly cannot understand
how we as a nation seem indifferent to their suffering. I cannot
understand how none of our presidents or the Congress have not
sought to dismantle these horrible places where sentient beings
LIKE OURSELVES are forced to live because of our meat lust. Of
course, they will say it's a matter of economics. Sorry, that
doesn't wash. Animals can be raised on smaller farms once
again. Yes, the products will cost more, but "humane" people
will understand.
And on a practical note, we are reminded that these "farms" are
also responsible for massive deforestation as well as air and
water pollution. If you consider yourself an environmentalist
and are still eating meat, you may want to rethink your diet.
In this regard the author - (Brandi, selected from Diets in
Review) gives us a wonderful last thought-
"If you want to consume the safest, healthiest, and responsibly
raised meat, you need to buy certified organic. Organic farms
employ ethical practices and treat their animals in a humane way.
Organically raised animals aren't forced to be cannibals, live
in a free-range environment, graze at will, and use considerably
less resources than a fatory farm....Until the US Department of
Agriculture cleans up this poopy, cannibablistic, and environmentally
murderous factory farm mess, it probaby wouldn't be a bad idea
to buy a vegetarian cookbook."
Well said Brandi, and anyone with an ounce of wisdom will not
find fault with your deductions. But as members of the human race,
not everyone will agree, and they will manage to skewer the truth
contained herein and spread their own erroneous "truths" which,
more than likely, will be self-serving as well.
Also, thank you Physicians for Responsible Medicine. It is evident
that you are living up to your name. As regarding the safety of
our foods I remember what H ippocrates said - "Let food be thy
medicine and thy medicine by thy food." What you have exposed in
regard to the unhealthy conditions of the poor chickens in their
cages should finally make us realize that "poopy" chickens are not
healthy for us and certainly are not healthy for them. Let us
somehow open these cages and set them free to breathe fresh air
and be allowed to run around in a barnyard again.
And on a related note re cleanliness, I recently saw a segment
where warnings were going out about the dirtiest part of your
bathroom. You'll never guess what it is. It's not the toilet-
it's your towels. Why? If you don't wash your hands well after
using the toilet, germs can accumulate on the towel without your
even realizing it. Their solution is to make sure that you wash
your hands thoroughly and well after each bathroom use. You would
think we would know this already but, somewhere I read that some
people don't even wash their hands at all after using the bathroom
facilities.
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