State's battle over chickens has just begun

Sacramento Bee ^ | 6/20/9 | Jim Downing

[SmithL]

After a bruising campaign last fall, Californians voted by a 27-point margin in favor of what was billed as an effective ban on cages for egg-laying hens.

The Humane Society of the United States, which sponsored the measure, may have won that battle. But the war over Proposition 2, it seems, is just getting started.

The egg industry says the proposition might allow it to use cages, and wants an interpretation from the state to support that idea. The Humane Society isn't budging. It says voters meant to enact a ban on cages, and that's what they should get.

Meanwhile, the fighting has moved to other fronts.

The society is backing Assembly Bill 1437, which would require all eggs sold in the state – not just those laid in the state – to comply with the ballot measure. And it has organized a sweeping class-action suit alleging massive price-fixing by egg farmers.

The University of California, hoping to insert itself as a peacemaker, formed a new animal welfare council last month. But at the same time, the university is being sued by the Humane Society over what the group says was an industry-biased analysis of Proposition 2 during the campaign.

While the Humane Society presses its advantage, the egg industry is seeking to find some leverage of its own in the language of the proposition.

While billed as a ban on the wire boxes that house most of California's egg-laying hens, Proposition 2 doesn't explicitly prohibit cages.

"It doesn't say anything is specifically allowed or prohibited," said Fiona Hutton, spokeswoman for the Association of California Egg Farmers.

Instead, it guarantees hens the space for some basic behaviors, including extending their wings – which average 28 inches, tip to tip – without touching another bird or the side of a cage.

[TypeZoNegative]

“Good night! How many other food products, including your fried products (i.e. KFC chicken) require eggs in their ingredients. This will increase the costs of many foods.”

Not mine, heheh :D

[lojo]

I suspect that I am going to be in the minority here, but while animals don’t have rights, we are obliged to treat them in a humane manner.

yes, you are in the minority- but I am with you on this. My grandfather was a farmer- he treated those animals in a humane way until the day that they were slaughtered to be eaten. He said it was his job to keep them well taken care of until they did their job by feeding us.

[goat granny]

I counseled by granddaughter in her senior year at University to live life like a dog:

If you cann't eat it or screw it, piss on it and walk away..

[MoTiger]

California is for the birds ...

So if the voters say “no chicken cages” then you must comply. If the voters say “no same sex marriage” then we count a bunch of same sex marriages anyway?

Finally, how are they going to keep the chickens comfortable in their new expanded facilites without creating more “greenhouse” gases? Certainly they at least have to run more fans. Or does the electricity they import from other states not count?

[Think free or die]

"Factory farming is cruelty to animals. That’s why I am keeping my own chickens. Rather do that than buy cheap eggs that come at such a price. Nothing beats a farm fresh egg."

I agree it can be cruel. We buy a farm share for our veggies and berries. We buy our eggs at the same farm. Our laying hens have a large enclosure and a generous coop within it. They eat scraps from the farm, amuse the children, and occasionally escape into the strawberry patch. The eggs are delicious, and the rich yellow yolks are more dense and flavorful than factory farmed eggs. I really enjoy seeing the hens doing their clucking, flocking thing and fighting over banana peels or tomato trimmings.

[goat granny]

Your problem is you are using intelligence and logic applied to California voters.. What comes out of that state boggles the mind, but the weather in San Diego is great. :O)

[jonrick46]

I hope this California mania does not come to my state. I'll just raise a few hens again. My last egg layers became dinner . . . for coyotes. I have since found out how to keep them from digging under my fence.