[doubled]

Everywhere in all the books when some of the good folks are offered or find orc food they shudder and avoid it. Merry and Pippin on their trek are offered some and do not eat it. Sam and Frodo in the tower don't bother to take any with them. It would seem that at least the thought of cannibalism amongst the orcs is wide spread.

On the orc groups that grab Pippin and Merry. Is it possible that Sauruman has some association with the Moria orcs being so close and all. That could have been one way he received news of the Fellowship.

Sauruman's relationship with Sauron is one of distrustful allies. Sauruman knows about the ring and that without it he has no chance of achieving the power he craves. The ring has already destroyed his nobility only by studying it and seeking it.

As someone said, Sauron does not have the strength yet to take the world on so relies on allies to do some of his dirty work plus with Sauruman situated to the west the hope is that the good guys forces will be divided.

Back to the orcs, the Moria orcs were on the Fellowship's trail, Sauruman finds out about it and sends a contingent of Urak Hai. He has to report to Sauron or Sauron's spies also learn of the Fellowship and start crossing the Anduin. Our heroes have been seen by the red eye orcs on the river, remember Legolas shooting across the river and the Nazgul overflight, so everyone concentrates on where they know the boat travellers are going to have to stop. There it is a matter of who can bully who the most. With their size, ability to work in the sunlight and maybe the backing of the Moria orcs the Urak hai prevail.

[Overtaxed]

Looks like none of the good guys even wants to think about orc food! I just finished lunch....thanks. :)

As someone said, Sauron does not have the strength yet to take the world on so relies on allies to do some of his dirty work plus with Sauruman situated to the west the hope is that the good guys forces will be divided

That makes sense. It explains why we didn't hear any "what are you doing here?" arguments from any of the orc groups.