Going green greatly benefits farm animals
Last week, I wrote about the environmental impact of factory farming and some of the benefits of going green.
This week, I will expound on these benefits and explain some of the terminology as it relates to farm animals.
Going green can greatly improve the quality of the foods a family eats. Generally, eating foods grown without the use of chemical feeds, prophylactic antibiotics, growth hormones and stress is considered by many health professionals as better than consuming foods with all of the above added to the animal's diet and environment. The less stress and the more natural an environment while being grown and processed for human consumption, the happier the animal.
Is eating stress-free meat, milk and eggs actually better for you? I don't think that this correlation, with the exception of free-range eggs being higher in certain essential fatty acids, has ever been made. Then why bother?
The reason as outlined in last week's column is because it is much better for the environment and absolutely better for the welfare of the animals.
Veal crates and hog crates are considered so barbaric that they are outlawed in some countries yet routinely used in the U.S. Battery cages where egg-laying hens are kept in such strict confinement that they can't even stretch their wings for the majority of their lives are the confinement of choice for egg producers in this country.
To better the lives of these animals, we need to be aware of the suffering our choices encourage and to choose differently. Yes, it will cost us more money. But it will greatly reduce our footprint upon the earth and our boot print upon the backs of the animals we use.
Instead of eggs from battery-caged hens, eat free-range eggs. Free range means that the hens are not kept in tiny cages and have room to move around outdoors. Cage-free is better than battery cages but cage-free hens frequently are jammed together indoors and have little room to move around. Choose free range when you can.
Certified humane means animals have been raised, housed, transported and butchered in as stress-free a way as possible. Certified organic means the animals have been fed an organic diet but does not necessarily mean the animals were raised and processed under humane standards of care as set forth by the American Humane Association.
To make sure your family's next meal is green, check out the many organic, naturally-grown and environmentally-conscious growers in this area.
Frequent farmers markets. Be aware of what you eat. To get you started, go to www.GrantFarms.com and www.FrontRangeNaturalMeats .com. To purchase your own urban hens, visit www.FRFRPP.com.
Terry Jester is a nationally recognized companion animal behaviorist. To learn more about companion animal training, visit www.rockymountainrawhide .com. For questions about your own pet, call Jester at (970) 568-7585 or send e-mail to arriniranch@aol.com.
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