In the introductory section of my book Vegan Ramayana, I wrote:
“Vegetarianism is not enough to raise humanity to a higher level because most vegetarians eat dairy and eggs. As already explained, the dairy industry causes incredible suffering for the cows. And, in order for humans to eat the secretions of hens (eggs), the chickens also endure unbelievable, horrific suffering. The females are forced to lay an unnaturally high number of eggs in crowded filthy cages. And, whereas the male calves are slaughtered to be veal meat, the male chicks are often thrown into the garbage, sometimes alive.”
Well, now I’m reading Vegan Voices: Essays by Inspiring Changemakers, edited by Dr. Joanne Kong, in which I learned that the worldwide standard practice for disposing of male chicks is actually grinding them up alive. Stunned, I went to google to learn more…
Animal Equality says, “Male chicks cannot lay eggs, and they are not the same breed of chicken used for meat. As a result, these baby animals are deemed worthless by the egg industry and are brutally killed, using extremely cruel techniques (including gassing, suffocation, and electrocution). Unfortunately, all of this is completely legal. One commonly used killing method is maceration, in which the animals are transferred to a machine called a grinder and are killed by “shredding”. The birds are alive and fully conscious as their bodies are violently shredded.”
Oh my goodness. The more I learn about animal agriculture, the more I am shocked that humans are still killing other animals for food. Not only is it incredibly cruel, it is also totally weird if you really stop and think about it.
Please sign Animal Equality’s Petition (and read the article below the petition) here: “Stop the Massacre of Male Chicks”.
Each time someone purchases a dozen eggs, that purchase directly pays for precious living male chicks to be killed. If you are not yet vegan, please think deeply about this, and then go vegan!
Chicks: Lolame on Pixabay.
