Discussion
I was reading this today: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2322091/Go...
Can fois gras be made in a humane way or is that just impossible as the ducks will never naturally have the appetite to become that fat?
Does anyone here not eat it out of principle?
Just wondering.
Can fois gras be made in a humane way or is that just impossible as the ducks will never naturally have the appetite to become that fat?
Does anyone here not eat it out of principle?
Just wondering.
My parents have a house in the Dordogne, which is pretty much the spiritual home of Foie Gras.
Whenever you see animal rights people attempting to get the stuff banned, they show all sorts of horrific videos of intensively reared ducks or geese locked in tiny cages and being mechanically stuffed with grain. This is utterly appalling, and absolutely should be eradicated from the face of the planet.
What you don't get shown, and something which was a real surprise to me, is what happens at the traditional small-scale old free range Foie Gras producers. I went to visit a place near my parents' house to see them feeding the birds.
The elderly lady who looked after them (and looked like she could've bench pressed me over her head despite being into her late 70s at the very least) wandered out of the barn with two massive steel buckets of grain, a funnel and a scoop and walked over to a chair in the field, calling to the geese as she went. Without exception, the geese charged over to her and started trying to shove each other out of the way to get the grain!
I was amazed. Not one of them had to be forced to take the grain, and they looked as though they were absolutely loving it!
It certainly salved my conscience at carrying on eating the glorious wonderfulness that is Foie Gras. Just make sure it's free range!
Whenever you see animal rights people attempting to get the stuff banned, they show all sorts of horrific videos of intensively reared ducks or geese locked in tiny cages and being mechanically stuffed with grain. This is utterly appalling, and absolutely should be eradicated from the face of the planet.
What you don't get shown, and something which was a real surprise to me, is what happens at the traditional small-scale old free range Foie Gras producers. I went to visit a place near my parents' house to see them feeding the birds.
The elderly lady who looked after them (and looked like she could've bench pressed me over her head despite being into her late 70s at the very least) wandered out of the barn with two massive steel buckets of grain, a funnel and a scoop and walked over to a chair in the field, calling to the geese as she went. Without exception, the geese charged over to her and started trying to shove each other out of the way to get the grain!
I was amazed. Not one of them had to be forced to take the grain, and they looked as though they were absolutely loving it!
It certainly salved my conscience at carrying on eating the glorious wonderfulness that is Foie Gras. Just make sure it's free range!
My understanding is that it is an evolutionary advantage for ducks to be insanely greedy just before they migrate, (as they wont eat for several weeks flying) so they will gorge themselves if there is food available. Which is good, because fois gras is one of the worlds loveliest tasting things.
Bill said:
Kermit power said:
Stuff
Interesting. We were in the Dordogne at Easter and saw a flyer for a foie gras farm with a grinning idiot holding a goose with a funnel down its neck. Rather took the enjoyment away from what had been a guilty pleasure. 
Gold said:
If you eat supermarket chicken you cannot comment on foie gras - there are far bigger problems with animal welfare than foie gras.
Agreed. 
Gold said:
Also worth noting that ducks and geese do not have a gag reflex, too much of the reaction is from simply anthropomorphising birds.
Eh? The reaction is because of the (perceived) cruelty of force feeding. I wonder whether, given the geese's desire to gorge, the funnel is even necessary.
Kermit power said:
Bill said:
Eh?
The reaction is because of the (perceived) cruelty of force feeding. I wonder whether, given the geese's desire to gorge, the funnel is even necessary.
I would assume it's for efficiency reasons, and possibly also to help control rodent infestation.The reaction is because of the (perceived) cruelty of force feeding. I wonder whether, given the geese's desire to gorge, the funnel is even necessary.
It is utterly ridiculous to even suggest the dietary requirements of migrating fowl are even close to what they are put through in order to produce Foie Gras. The forced feeding is far beyond any natural feeding pattern. It is really qiiye easy to summise that if they don't eat that much naturally, then it is unnatural to force them to eat that much.
Pothole has it spot on, it is a measured amount, which is important to maintaining a high quality product in order to make the best money.
The method of production it reprehensible, but as has been pointed out, it is not the only cruel practice in food production. I have auditted paces which would make some people just stop eating. I should totally condemn those who eat or use Foie Gras, but there are things elsewhere that just "happen" with little protest..
Pothole has it spot on, it is a measured amount, which is important to maintaining a high quality product in order to make the best money.
The method of production it reprehensible, but as has been pointed out, it is not the only cruel practice in food production. I have auditted paces which would make some people just stop eating. I should totally condemn those who eat or use Foie Gras, but there are things elsewhere that just "happen" with little protest..
Foie Gras is lovely stuff. A real treat, rarely, but always enjoyed.
Unfortunately its got the attention of the animal rights lunatics, but its the done thing to stand up against threats and intimidation.
Be interesting to see, in the fullness of time , with the incredible advances in science if particular organs could be grown on their own right, without the animal itself. They are looking at "growing" human organs for transplant, so perhaps not impossible I'd wager.
Unfortunately its got the attention of the animal rights lunatics, but its the done thing to stand up against threats and intimidation.
Be interesting to see, in the fullness of time , with the incredible advances in science if particular organs could be grown on their own right, without the animal itself. They are looking at "growing" human organs for transplant, so perhaps not impossible I'd wager.
While the cruelty of foie gras always splits opinion, few would argue that it is absolutely delicious. I've never had it in this country, but I had it with some lightly toasted bread, balsamic-glazed shallots and a small salad when I was in France and it was one of the nicest meals I've ever eaten.
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