Farm // Current TV

50,000 Hens Abandoned At California Egg Farm

everal weeks ago, a California egg producer abandoned his farm—and an estimated 50,000 hens—leaving a horrifying mess for animal rescuers who came in to save the survivors. The LA Times reports that authorities said 47,000 of the chickens died, and that the survivors had not been fed in more than two weeks.

Authorities only discovered the hens because a citizen complained about the growing stench. The Modesto Bee reports that the local animal services agency "plans to seek prosecution of Andy Keung Cheung, owner of A&L Poultry, where the hens were found."

The LA Times quotes a woman from one of the sanctuaries that participated in the rescue:

"My heart is in my throat," said Anne Martin, with Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary...

"These are the sicker birds from the group ... most are able to stand on their feet ... they are interested in food, they are drinking but they are not as lively as the other birds, not as enthusiastic," Martin told Fox 40.

The Humane Society of the United States describes more of the scene:

For two days, volunteers from across California answered the calls from Animal Place, Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary, and Farm Sanctuary. Volunteers raced against the clock to load the emaciated birds into hundreds of animal carriers, makeshift crates, and cardboard boxes, hoisting them onto trailers and truck beds, bound for better lives at sanctuaries.

These kinds of stories aren't rare, whether it's an isolated incident or ongoing cruelty exposed, so it's easy to tire of reading about them. But their prevalence is indicative of the larger systemic problem.

HSUS explains:

It used to be standard procedure on huge egg farms to starve hens periodically to force them into another laying cycle. Burger King, McDonald's, Safeway, and others demanded an end to this starvation-induced "forced molting," and the practice was ended by most—though not all—egg producers in the United States.

Many agricultural techniques may be standard today and unforgiveable tomorrow, like gestation crates. Rather than reassuring itself that today's procedures are the best, animal agribusiness should make improvements in animal welfare now, or face the judgment of history.

These tens of thousands of hens had been trapped inside tiny cages with no food or water, and while the sanctuaries will give or find new homes for the couple thousand that were rescued, HSUS says chickens on other farms aren't so lucky. Things could be improving slightly with new legislation, but the larger problem remains. If our consumption patterns demand it, these practices will continue.everal weeks ago, a California egg producer abandoned his farm—and an estimated... more

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Chipotle Grammy Commercial Promotes the Small Farm Movement

Willie Nelson and Farm Aid are in heaven right now! The two minute commercial... more

TOP10PRODUCELLC
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4 months ago
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‘King of the farm’: Sheep-herding rabbit gains fame (VIDEO)

A rabbit that rounds up sheep on a small farm in northern Sweden is rapidly gaining a... more

artq8
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4 months ago
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Quail Hollow Farm Raided by Local Health Inspector

This is so disheartening, but it is happening in so many places. The USDA and FDA are... more

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6 months ago
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The Great American Wheat Harvest

Here's a link to a preview of the movie:... more

conjostudios
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8 months ago
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State Farm implements Text-to-Quote program

State Farm begins a Text-to-Quote program... more

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10 months ago
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Happy Birthday Wavy Gravy! Don’t Take the Brown Acid!

Wavy Gravy is an icon of San Francisco in the 60′s yet he came from New York and... more

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1 year ago
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This Bud's for Drew?: That's Gay

Beer ads are usually the province of babes in bikinis. So when a new Budweiser ad featured two young men locked (briefly) in a tender embrace, the Internet's gaydar started tingling. infoMania's "That's Gay" correspondent, Bryan Safi, decodes this malt-laden mystery.

That's Gay is a recurring segment on the weekly television show infoMania. In each episode of That's Gay, Bryan Safi explores gay issues and stereotypes as they are portrayed by the clueless media. For more Bryan visit http://current.com/groups/thats-gay/ and Current TV.

infoMania is a half-hour comedy show that airs weekly on Current TV. Picture the ultimate office water-cooler, only with funnier co-workers who willingly stay up late imbibing all forms of media so you don't have to. Caveat: Bring your own water. Hosted by Brett Erlich and co-starring Sergio Cilli, Erin Gibson, Ben Hoffman and Bryan Safi, infoMania airs on Thursdays at 11/10c on Current TV.

Go to http://current.com/infomania for more, and make sure to check out our Facebook profile for special features at http://facebook.com/infomania.

Current Media, the Peabody-and Emmy Award-winning television and online network founded in 2005 by Al Gore and Joel Hyatt, engages viewers with smart, provocative and timely programming -stories that no one else is telling in ways that no one else is telling them. Current's programming shines a light where others won't dare and boldly explores important subjects -- opening minds, sparking conversations and forming deep connections with its viewers. The channel's audience is comprised of affluent, curious, social and connected adults who crave the kind of entertaining, enlightening, witty and informative programming found on Current's TV and online properties. Current is now available via cable and satellite TV in 75 million households worldwide - 60 million households in the US - through distribution partners Comcast (Channel 107); Time Warner ; DirecTV (Channel 358 nationwide); Dish Network (Channel 196 nationwide); Verizon and AT&T. In the UK and Ireland, Current is available on BSkyB (Channel 183) and Virgin Media (Channel 155), and in Italy, Current is available on Sky Italia (Channel 130). Viewers can also find Current online at www.current.com.Beer ads are usually the province of babes in bikinis. So when a new Budweiser ad... more