Baby chicks are often considered to be some of the most adorable animals on the planet. They are frequently employed in Easter decorations, given to children in plush toy form, and fawned over at petting zoos. However, this doesn't stop egg hatcheries from killing hundreds of millions of them each year, using the simple excuse that they "have no use" for them.
According to new information from Mercy for Animals and United Egg Producers, about 200 million male chicks are killed each year because egg hatcheries cannot use them for egg laying, and they are incapable of finding any cost-effective method of raising them for other purposes, even to use as meat. The chicks are most often thrown alive into high-speed meat grinders, though they may also be gassed or killed in other ways, none of which could ever be considered humane. United Egg Producers, a trade group for egg farmers in the United States, unfortunately feels that these methods are perfectly acceptable, but a quick glance at their vague "Animal Welfare" page on their own website, www.unitedegg.org, reveals that this attitude is not surprising. Until recently, farm animals have generally been overlooked as worthy recipients of humane treatment simply because many of them are raised for the sole purpose of being killed and eaten. How we can assume without proof that they have no sentient thoughts or feelings during their lives, however, is unknown.
According to the Humane Society, most egg producers are connected with hatcheries that practice male chick slaughter, and trying to find vendors who are not is difficult even with the help of the internet. And while many of us may be moved by this information to eat less eggs or none at all, most people will forget about this issue the day after they hear about it, and continue eating eggs that are associated with slaughterhouse hatcheries because they like the taste of them, or because egg alternatives are (wrongfully) more expensive. Therefore, the most effective way to stop this practice is to appeal to the companies in charge of the hatcheries who employ it. Hy-Line North America, one of the largest breeders in this country, is a prime target: their Iowa facility alone kills about 30 million male chicks per year. By signing this petition and sending it to them, we can make our displeasure known, and hopefully Hy-Line will be forced to reconsider their standards of animal welfare. They may have difficulty trying to find a place for all the chicks they would normally kill, but as the experts, it is their responsibility to come up with a more agreeable solution.
You can also email Hy-Line directly at info@hyline.com
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