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Buckeye Egg Factory Closed
Fate of 13 Million Hens Unknown |
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After more than two decades of abysmal cruelty and
environmental degradation, the Ohio Department of Agriculture finally ordered
the closure of all 90 Buckeye egg factories. Buckeye’s demise is due in large
part to the persistent efforts of concerned citizens unwilling to tolerate the
nuisances associated with animal factories. Buckeye, which confines over
13,000,000 laying hens to battery cages, should be closed by June 1, 2004.
However, Buckeye has appealed, and Japan-based Ise Farms and Ohio Fresh Eggs may
buy the facilities. The celebration of Buckeye’s closure is short-lived if the
cruelty to laying hens simply continues under another name.
Of utmost concern is the welfare of the hens. Buckeye
estimates it would have to kill 464,000 to 576,000 chickens per week to comply
with the order. Humane euthanasia of such massive numbers of birds is unlikely.
Or the birds could be slaughtered for soup and animal food. The future looks
bleak for most of the birds, but as we go to press, our friends at
Oohmahnee Farm are set to rescue
1,000 of the hens. Hopefully, the compassion shown to these birds will be
extended to others, who can be rescued or killed in a truly humane manner.
Buckeye’s inability to comply with even minimal
environmental laws underscores the fact that it is inherently cruel and
problematic to confine millions of animals to factories. Compassionate consumers
should not support the cruelty of any egg factory. If you consume eggs, please
be certain they come from cage-free hens who have access to pasture.
(AWI Quarterly: Summer 2002, Winter 2001, Fall 2001) |
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