The egg industry admits that throwing live animals into a grinder is “standard practice.” This is not a matter of reporting abuse to other workers, this is a matter of standard and accepted methods of killing unwanted male chicks. This facility alone kills over 150,000 male chicks in this manner each and every day. The system is set-up to kill animals in this way. Read the hatchery’s response to the footage, they say grinding up baby animals is a very acceptable way to kill them. I think you missed the point with this investigation. This isn’t a matter of a few bad employees, but rather an entire system and industry that treats these animals as inanimate objects, rather than the sentient creatures they are.

Well, Tracy, I’m not sure, quite honestly. As far as I know, there have not been any alliances made between animal rights groups and workers/migrant groups. So I really don’t know. But I would *guess* that a creative alliance between each group would probably provide a way to do more grass roots stuff that would seem more relevant to mainstream people who think that veganism is too radical. So, in other words, if the workers organized with animal rights groups–those workers would start talking to their families (who are probably just “normal” people, not invested in all in “radical” stuff like veganism, etc), and would get their families on board with any protest. And maybe a protest wouldn’t necessarily lead to veganism, but instead might lead to…say, the abolition of factory farms. Or maybe more humane conditions for the animals AND workers as a first step toward dismantling current food structures and rebuilding a food structure based on justice.

it just seems to me that when there is a situation where there is a “space” (i.e. a factory farm) where everybody in the space is being violated–the first thing to do when organizing against the violence in that space is to reach out to others who are experiencing or a part of that violence. Who better to explain the way factory farms harm animals than a worker, right? WHo esle could better explain the health implications of both consumption and work environment?

but again, I don’t really know tracy. I’ve not been a part of or seen organizing between animal rights folks and workers–so I don’t know what has happened if anything–only that something *should* happen between the two groups.

As the egg industry says, they have no use for these male chicks. This is an inherent problem in commercial egg production. Animal advocacy groups have talked to, and continue to have conversations with, meat, dairy, and egg producers, as well as their trade organizations and the companies that purchase and sell the products. But at the end of the day, there are still going to be 200 million “useless” male chicks to the egg industry. Grinding up live animals is considered the “best option” by the egg industry – they say the veterinarian and science community supports it.

There comes a time when we have to start looking at addressing these issues at it’s core – which is consumer demand for these products. The egg industry will never have a use for these chicks. The practice of grinding them up alive is well known and long discussed within the industry. At the very least, consumers deserve to know about this sad side to the egg industry. Perhaps then, people can make informed food choices. And I must respectfully disagree with the statement that “Influencing consumer choice has never changed anything.” In fact, it’s the only thing that has or will every change these industries. These industries are built on consumer demand for their products.

Nathan–male chickens are not the only animals that are being slaughtered by factory farming. I agree with you–consumers DO need to know this. I am not saying that there is NO use in videos like this. And like I said, I support the proposed actions.

You keep using *industry* here–and I am asking you to look at what the word *industry* implies. It is something that is bigger than consumer choice. it is pervasive–and with globalization–it is something that can just pick up and move to a whole new group of consumers.

Perhaps the point is not to change the industries–but to *dismantle* the industries. addressing animal cruetly at it’s core will require all of us to dig much deeper than than “consumer choice”–it’s going to require the dismantling of a structure that is based on the basic belief that anything, including animals, can be consumed. It’s going to require the rebuilding of a new, just structure that is sustainable and prioritizes the needs of all animals, including workers.

I think that exposing the industry for what it is is a powerful and important and necessary step. but can we dream something bigger and more just than “don’t buy that?”

Also–there is a difference between “influencing consumer choice” and “targeted boycotts”–a really important distinction. influencing consumer choice has never changed anything. Period. Targeted boycotts has. I think the problem here is that animal rights groups often think they are doing targeted boycotts, when in all reality, what they are doing is influencing consumer choice. you can guilt and horrify many people into not buying meat products–but it won’t work to get even *most* people, IMO. because what you wind up getting is an egg selection that includes twenty different types of eggs–cage free eggs, organic eggs, etc. people think all they have to do is buy a different kind of egg.

I agree that the whole industry (system) exploits the vunerable. From the land, consumers, workers and murdered victims.

But I also know that there have been many extensive reports and individual blogs posted about worker mistreatment as well. Most vegan advocates do try the sell “the whole package” of wrongs – which always includes trauma to employees – both physically and emotionally.

Yet, as an observation – in most interviews with workers I’ve seen only a few which had comments about how the killing of animals affected them on a spiritual level. It’s mostly been about the hours, the repetition of tasks, and working conditions in general. Really… very little about the physiological issues…

And I don’t think it’s “extreme” to expect people to go vegan… It’s not at all as difficult as some would make it seem. In fact, given all the reasons – it’s almost difficult not to.

I would put money on it that those who are oposed to this kind of treatment are “pro choice”! Go figure.

because chicks are so much cuter than fetuses Rick! ::eye roll::