PETA on Prop 12

While Prop 12 would ultimately abolish cages, it would also allow tens of thousands of hens to be confined to massive sheds with no more than 1 square foot of space per bird. Did you know that this is the same amount of space that the factory farming industry already requires for the "cage-free" label and less than is required under a similar law passed in Massachusetts in 2016? We have seen firsthand that, in such crowded conditions, hens can barely move a muscle because they're almost on top of each other. There is nowhere for them to go.

Take a look at how birds suffer in our recently revealed eyewitness video taken inside a Nellie's Free Range Eggs supplier—a living egg factory that actually allows them more space than Prop 12 would. Those hens have to fight to get to one of the little hatches (which are only open sometimes) to the patch of dirt outside—and most don't try, because they can't battle that many other birds. Denied the ability to establish a pecking order, they're mostly afraid of each other. Prop 12 supports less than this amount of room!

Well, now I'm confused. I responded to a Humane Society text with that comment and got the following response: "...For the first time in history, veal, pork and eggs sold must come from the producers that don't confine animals in cages." It goes on to say that veterinarians, animal shelters and animal protection groups support 12. It didn't address the fact that chickens would still have too little space to avoid bumping into each other, though. Thoughts?

It is indeed concerning about the lapse (?) in the proposed legislation regarding chickens. Does this mean we should vote NO and therefore deprive protections to other animals? Or should we vote Yes for some progress and continue to advocate for better treatment and legislation going forward? I'm interested in the Wacco communities responses. Thanks.

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Posted in reply to the post by Moon:

Well, now I'm confused. ...

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A better response would be for us to all vote with our dollars (but then again, we'd be competing with industry lobbyists). There are already a lot of growers who use sustainable methods that are far more humane than what this ballot measure would require. (see: farmers' markets, Andy's, Community Market, and very close reading of labels at Oliver's and possibly Whole Foods) The problem with this argument is that it doesn't include the folks who can't afford those $2-$3 egg cartons or $40 chickens :(

I am a member of PETA and the HSUS as well as other animal rights groups, like In Defense of Animals and Direct Action Everywhere (DxE). All of them except PETA are supporting Prop 12, so I am inclined to vote YES. As for the price of eggs, we don't need to eat them. Vegan is the healthiest diet and the least harmful to all animals and to the environment. Prop 12 is really directed at huge corporate factory farming. The smaller family farms probably aren't affected by it, as most of them are more humanely raising animals already. And we have food banks around here where folks who want eggs can get them for free. BTW, Whole Foods is misleading their customers about how animal products they sell are raised "humanely". Look at DxE's site for the truth. They have investigated those claims and filmed inside the places where the animals and birds are living in filthy crowded conditions.

This is what I've been looking for; it sounds as though other farm animals will benefit from 12 and the way to protect hens is to get people to stop eating eggs.

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Posted in reply to the post by BEE KIND:

I am a member of PETA and the HSUS as well as other animal rights groups, like In Defense of Animals and Direct Action Everywhere (DxE). All of them except PETA are supporting Prop 12, so I am inclined to vote YES. As for the price of eggs, we don't need to eat them. Vegan is the healthiest diet and the least harmful to all animals and to the environment. Prop 12 is really directed at huge corporate factory farming. The smaller family farms probably aren't affected by it, as most of them are more humanely raising animals already. And we have food banks around here where folks who want eggs can get them for free. BTW, Whole Foods is misleading their customers about how animal products they sell are raised "humanely". Look at DxE's site for the truth. They have investigated those claims and filmed inside the places where the animals and birds are living in filthy crowded conditions.

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Egg-zactly! Or raise your own hens, or buy eggs from neighbors who have chickens, if you feel you need to eat eggs. Baby chicks are very cheep (pun intended :wink:), but you do need a proper chicken coop to keep them safe from predators.

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Posted in reply to the post by Moon:

This is what I've been looking for; it sounds as though other farm animals will benefit from 12 and the way to protect hens is to get people to stop eating eggs.

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I've learned that the Sierra Club is another group which endorses YES on Prop.12. So there seems to be a general consensus among most environmental and animal welfare groups on that. PETA seems to be the only group opposing it, that I've found.

Preliminary results are showing Prop 12 leading at 57%. It should pass at this rate. Less than half the votes counted but with this sort of margin it should hold.

It has passed, but it won't take effect for 2 more years, so in the meanwhile all the poor animals still suffer. It is still best to be vegetarian or preferably vegan! Not only for the animals, but for our own health and Mother Earth. Animal Agriculture is a leading cause of environmental destruction and pollution.

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Posted in reply to the post by BEE KIND:

It has passed, but it won't take effect for 2 more years, so in the meanwhile all the poor animals still suffer. It is still best to be vegetarian or preferably vegan! Not only for the animals, but for our own health and Mother Earth. Animal Agriculture is a leading cause of environmental destruction and pollution.

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It is also true that plants that are farmed commercially are a leading cause of environmental and health destruction. Let the farmers that farm ethically both plant and animal, be what you and hopefully most people decide to purchase. We at least have a choice to be able to buy food that is raised in humane ways these days.
The key is always to try and find the balance in everything. Yes it is a good thing to stop greedy farming practices that are harmful to plants and animals. There are people that don't do well as vegan or vegetarian and need the nutrients from animal that are vital to their well being. Therefor it is not healthy for everyone to be vegetarian or vegan.