A question that crops up quite often at The Barn is “why don’t vegans eat eggs?”. At first sight it does seem a little difficult. After all chickens lay eggs naturally don’t they and if they’re well looked after, given plenty of space, maybe organic feed, then surely there’s no problem…..it’s humane isn’t it?
Well actually the reality of the egg production business is quite different.
To put this in context, egg laying hens are having their female reproductive systems exploited for our selfish culinary enjoyment. All male chicks born for egg-laying facilities are useless to the industry and they are typically killed, legally, by suffocation or being thrown alive into rendering machines for feed. As a hen’s fertility wanes, industry replaces her years before her natural lifespan would end. We had a couple of Black Rock hens in our garden a few years ago and they lived happily for several years after they had stopped laying. In fact when we asked people how long a chicken would naturally live for no one actually knew because they are always killed when they have served their purpose.
Commercially, “spent hens” are frequently transported many miles away, in all kinds of extreme weather, and suffer a horrific death – destined for meat-eaters.
If the tables were turned and we were the subjugated species we would never label any part of this kind of life “humane.” To live a truly compassionate life (not to mention far more sustainable), then learn to cook delicious vegan cuisine. It’s easy and very rewarding in many ways
I just did a blog search on "honey" and it returned no results. I would also love to hear your thoughts on the production and use of that sweet stuff.
Hi Christopher - I have to confess that the honey issue is one that I feel less strongly about. Having said I don't eat the stuff because I know that the bees are constantly manipulated and 'farmed' often in a quite unacceptable way. The Vegan Society has a very good set of info about the whole business and I'd recommend you go to its site and look it up under the faq section. What do you think?
I think.. I still love honey and still feel that the local honey I consume is cruelty free. I really can't see them (the people that I buy honey from) artificially imseminating the queen like that, but I will ask next time I purchase my honey from them.
If I start worrying too much about accidentally killing bugs I may have to stop walking outside. One of the reasons bee farming is cruel on the Vegan Society's site, is that bees can be crushed when the bee keeper manipulates the combs.
It all seems like a stretch to me. I'm sure major honey producers are not as nice, but I don't know why anyone would want to buy honey at the supermarket anyways. There are nice old men and women making honey all over, and they have no idea how to impregnate a queen with a needle.
I must admit I am a bit on the fence with this one. I am definitely not into supporting the egg production industry. Those poor hens are tortured, and would have probably preferred the same quick end that the males received.
I can't help but think about how nice it would be though, so have hens wandering around my back yard (when I eventually have one). If my ladies stopped laying, so be it. They would live out a full, free, and cruelty-free life if I was the one caring for them.
I think the only issue would be finding chicks that have been raised by another caring person. One who does not keep the hens, and murder the roosters. I'd like to hear your opinion on this.
Posted by Christopher | August 24, 2007 12:46 AM