Posted by AdaGrace on November 27, 2004, at 7:19:37
In reply to Any vegans out there?, posted by alexandra_k on November 26, 2004, at 17:40:22
Also wanted to mention that when I say free range and that we don't do it, I mean free range as in 25 birds out in the open on a acre of land. Free range would not work for us becuase of the wild animals that would kill them. Our poultry is in pens, but they aren't laying on top of each other they can run around and yes, they do peck each other, it happens when they are molting. There is some medicine that they can be given to help with it, but it's something they do. Free range chickens would do it to I imagine. Have you ever seen chickens in a chicken barn? I used to gather eggs for hubby and would occassionally drop one. Chickens are cannibals. They eat their own eggs if given a chance, and would eat a dead chicken if given a chance. I was amazed the first time I dropped an egg and was almost flocked to death when the chickens scrambled over to eat it. Apparently they don't peck at a egg, but if one breaks they go after it like it's candy to a kid.
By the way, we do occassionally let a few guineas out to free range because they can fly into the trees and get away from predators. They are wonderful for getting rid of bugs and ticks in the yard. They are noisy, but fun to watch.
Okay, I hope you don't hate me now because I live on a farm and raise animals. We really are NOT a factory farm and it's not like what people imagine it to be always.
We have 8 baby calves we are raising now. They are getting bigger and ready to sell, but I want to talk hubby into keeping one so we can have some decent beef for a change. But he says we need the money and it costs a fortune to butcher a cow these days.
Ada, farm girl at heart, Grace
poster:AdaGrace
thread:420601
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20041122/msgs/420824.html