Did anyone else know this about the egg industry?
Discussion
The driving dogs on another thread just put a smile on my face, this wiped it back off again.
I always work on the principle that if I could kill an animal for food, if push came to shove, then I can eat it in my daily diet. I don't think I could do that to a chick...
I always work on the principle that if I could kill an animal for food, if push came to shove, then I can eat it in my daily diet. I don't think I could do that to a chick...
Edited by Dublte on Wednesday 5th December 17:25
doogz said:
Those male chicks shouldn't have to die for you to eat eggs though.
That said, I dunno what you do with them? And it seems they do get used.
I entirely agree, though sadly it is uneconomical to keep them alive. After all they are someone's business. Unfortunately it is the same state of affairs for male calves in the dairy farms, especially with the UK's negativity towards veal. That said, I dunno what you do with them? And it seems they do get used.
I've always fancied having my own chickens - this makes it seem an even better idea.
Dublte said:
I entirely agree, though sadly it is uneconomical to keep them alive. After all they are someone's business. Unfortunately it is the same state of affairs for male calves in the dairy farms, especially with the UK's negativity towards veal.
Rose Veal seems to have become quite popular. What did you think happened to them? Unless you thought male chickens produced eggs?
Same as male calves, pretty much useless on dairy farms and their genetics are so different from beef cattle that you cant rear them for meat. Actually, its a bit more complicated than that, with crosses and what have you, but ultimately 25% of calves born will never be any good for meat, no matter what you feed them. The other 75% may be economical depending on feed costs and beef prices etc.
A male chicken though, is totally and utterly useless on an egg farm. They will never grow for meat.
Same as male calves, pretty much useless on dairy farms and their genetics are so different from beef cattle that you cant rear them for meat. Actually, its a bit more complicated than that, with crosses and what have you, but ultimately 25% of calves born will never be any good for meat, no matter what you feed them. The other 75% may be economical depending on feed costs and beef prices etc.
A male chicken though, is totally and utterly useless on an egg farm. They will never grow for meat.
PeanutHead said:
Just wondering what alternatives there is for the chicks, the mass breeding for hens must create nearly as many male chicks that does seem to be more of a hindrance to the industry rather than a marketable byproduct.
Same with anything - hence why they are trying to use sexed seamen on dairy cattle. A female calf might be worth £100, say, and a male just £10, if that. If you can reliably produce female calves, or female chicks then its much more efficient than at present. Problem is that nothing works reliably. I doubt you will ever get sexed chicks because they are bred naturally, cows can be artificially inseminated and so you can prep the seamen beforehand. Dublte said:
I entirely agree, though sadly it is uneconomical to keep them alive. After all they are someone's business. Unfortunately it is the same state of affairs for male calves in the dairy farms, especially with the UK's negativity towards veal.
I've always fancied having my own chickens - this makes it seem an even better idea.
How will that be any different though? If you buy only females for eggs then the associated males would still have been killed by the breeder, or will you just get male chickens and raise for meat (is there any difference in the meat from male chickens I wonder?)?I've always fancied having my own chickens - this makes it seem an even better idea.
k off you hippy tossers".
pokethepope said:
How will that be any different though? If you buy only females for eggs then the associated males would still have been killed by the breeder, or will you just get male chickens and raise for meat (is there any difference in the meat from male chickens I wonder?)?
Hadn't thought too hard about meat. As they would be pets too I'd consider a male. I can't imagine it would grow as much as the female though with regards to meat. In small groups I thought they required a male presence to 'activate' the female's ovaries - though this might be rubbish.
TheEnd said:
"Stop this unimaginable waste - Don't buy eggs"
Not to mention that surely the females would then also face Colonel Sanders final solution as there would be little point keeping them alive for a non existant market either, which is going to double some poor sods gas bill.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff