Mad Turkey News

You’ve probably heard of cage-free eggs and free-range eggs, and maybe you’ve wondered why people make the change. The reason is simple: The alternative, so-called “caged eggs,” are eggs that are produced at battery farms.

That might not sound bad, but battery farming is a cruel practice that causes undue suffering for billions of laying hens each year.

We wanted to shed light on the cruelty of battery egg farming, and help people understand why this practice is cruel, what people can do to end battery farming, and help them understand why they should never buy caged eggs again.

What Is Battery Farming?

Battery farming is the practice of intensively farming eggs. On battery farms, which aren’t farms at all, but industrial facilities, hens are packed into small cages, with little room for movement or to spread their wings.

The laying hens in these facilities, called “battery hens,” are fed fortified foods and antibiotics, and are often deprived of food and water. Essentially, the hens only live to lay eggs. In fact, many battery hens are sent to slaughter at just two years old, as they begin to lay fewer eggs.

Fortunately, many companies and people have become aware of the cruelty of battery farming. Companies like Nestle and McDonalds now only using cage-free eggs, for example. But unfortunately, battery farming is still widely practiced. According to 2017 data from the organization United Egg Producers, nearly 85 percent of eggs produced in the U.S. come from battery farms.

How long have we been battery farming eggs?

In the early 1900s, egg farming was commercialized in the Western world. Instead of eggs being produced on family farms, the practice was industrialized and battery farming became the norm.

Why was this the preferred method? Essentially, a battery farm is a method of egg farming on a massive scale. Laying hens are tightly packed into small cages, with multipole hens in each cage. For many agribusinesses, battery farms allow them to produce eggs very cheaply and on a massive scale. But sadly, this type of farming sacrifices quality of life for the hens.

What Are Battery Cages?

Battery hens lead miserable lives. The tiny cages they’re forced to live in year-round restrict movement, and because they can’t stretch their legs or wings and lose calcium from laying eggs 300 days per year, the hens suffer from many health issues, including severe dehydration, osteoporosis, psychology stress and early death.

Battery cages subject hens to an extremely confined space. The majority of caged hens are afforded only 70 square inches of cage space, which is about the size of a piece of computer paper. In battery cages, laying hens can’t fully stretch their wings, they can’t move around, and they can barely turn around. In fact, of all confined animals in agribusiness, battery hens face some of the most extreme confines of any animal.

Why Is Battery Farming Bad?

Battery farming facilities don’t look like farms at all. In a typical facility, hundreds of battery cages are stacked on top of each other, and the animals are confined for most of their lives. It’s more akin a prison, than a farm. As you can imagine, battery hens suffer from numerous health conditions, including:

Psychological suffering
In natural environments, hens like to perch, roost and nest. But these natural behaviors are discouraged in battery cages. Instead, the hens are packed tightly in and crowded, and that’s why it’s common to see many unnatural behaviors. For example, battery hens tend to display restlessness, aggressiveness, and even “vacuum” nesting, in which a hen pretends to make a nest.  

Physical pain
The confinement in battery cages causes several painful conditions. Battery hens, for example, are prone to foot injuries. Painful lesions commonly form on their feet, after standing for hours on metal cage floors, and because they can’t scratch and root in the ground, overgrown nails can exacerbate foot problems.

Osteoporosis
Severe osteoporosis is also common. Battery hens produce so many eggs in their lifetimes, which depletes their bodies of calcium. In extreme cases, the bone fragility can cause paralysis or even spinal collapse. These animals then die of thirst and hunger, because they can’t take the few steps to water or food.

Forced molting
Hens naturally molt in winter, and during the molting season they tend to eat less and produce fewer eggs. At industrial egg farms, conditions are simulated to force the hens into molting and increase production. During a forced molt, food and water are restricted and light is reduced, which exacerbates psychological distress and discomfort. 

Mutilation
Battery hens and even cage-free hens are often subjected to painful debeaking, a process in which one-half to two-thirds of the animal’s beak is removed. The beak is either cut or burnt off, a very painful procedure. This is done to reduced cannibalistic peaking, which is often a reaction to confinement and overcrowding.

Early Death
Laying hens – both caged and cage-free hens – are typically sent to slaughter at less than two years old. In normal conditions, a laying hen might live for 8-10 years. When they’re sent to slaughter, the animals may be transported long distances and deprived food and water.

Is Battery Farming Legal in the United States?  

Unfortunately, battery farming is legal at the federal level in the United States. But in recent years, several states have banned or are phasing out battery cages.

Some of the states that have banned or are phasing out the practice include California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington. In total, just nine US states have instituted bans or phase-outs.

Around the world, the practice continues to be widely used. Yet, several countries, including Germany, New Zealand, Norway and the European Union have phased-out battery cages and battery farming. Fortunately many US states and countries are pursuing legislation to end the practice of battery farming.  

What Are Cage-Free Systems?

Many businesses and companies have pledged to only use “cage-free” eggs, which is a step in the right direction. But cage-free systems aren’t a perfect solution.

Although cage-free hens have a significantly better quality of life, they are still subjected to many cruelties, like debeaking and overcrowding. In cage-free systems, laying hens typically have room to spread and their wings and walk, and they can build their own nests. These are all natural behaviors, which improve the welfare of the animals.

Yet, there are downfalls. In cage-free operations, the hens still live in overcrowded conditions, often times flocks are in the thousands. And the animals are still confined indoors for most of their lives. To be considered cage-free, the hen must have just 1.25 square feet of space to move.

How You Can Help End Battery Farming

The simplest solution is to purchase humane eggs at the grocery store. The two best options are:

• Free-Range Eggs – Free-range hens can move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces. Many labels like the Certified Humane label, require there to be at least two square feet of outdoor space per bird.
  
• Pasture-Raised Eggs – Pasture-raised hens live free to roam outdoors, and this type of system affords the best quality of life for the hens. To be considered “pasture-raised,” each bird must have 108 square feet of space outdoors.

Another way to end battery farming is to support companies that have pledged to use only humane eggs. Coffee chains like Peet’s and Caribou, for example, have completed phase-outs, and now only use 100% cage-free eggs. Other businesses like Mondelez, the parent company of brands like Oreo, Ritz and Triscuit, has also completed a transition to 100% cage-free eggs.

You can also support local and state legislation, provide support to battery hen rescues, or purchase eggs from local, humane sources (e.g. neighbors with backyard coops and small farms that sell eggs).

Good News: The U.S. Is Moving Away from Cage Eggs

Back in 2005, just 2% of the 320 million egg-laying hens in the United States were cage-free. But thanks to local and state legislation, and companies instituting phase-outs, we’ve significantly reduced our reliance on battery farmed eggs.

According to estimates from the Humane Society, by the end of 2021, nearly half of egg-laying hens in the U.S. will be cage-free. Recent data from the United Egg Producers, suggests today nearly 30% of eggs produced in the US are cage-free.

The Mad Turkey Farm supports efforts to end battery farming, and we provide a haven for many farm animals rescued from factory farms. Consider a donation today to help us continue our work.

The Mad Turkey Farm provides a sanctuary for neglected and abused farm animals in Virginia. To date, we’ve provided homes to dozens of animals.

Some of our favorite, lovable fowls are Kaporos chickens.

Currently, we have several Cornish Cross chickens in our flock that were saved from Kaporos, a ritual slaughter practice conducted each year in New York City. During this brutal ritual, young chickens – just six weeks old – are subjected to unspeakable horrors.

We’re doing our part to save Kaporos chickens and bring awareness to this cruel, inhumane practice. Learn more about Kaporos, what it is, and what you can do to end Kaporos ritual slaughter.

What Is Kaporos?

Kaporos is a religious ritual, in which more than 60,000 chickens are slaughter in New York City each year. It’s performed by a small subset of the Hasidic Jewish community in New York.

Leading up to the ritual, six-week-old Cornish Cross chickens – which are bred for slaughter because they grow so quickly – are left in crates on the streets of New York. They don’t receive food or water, and are left to the elements in the fall. Many of these young chickens don’t even survive to the slaughter, as they succumb to the elements, cramped quarters and lack of food and water.

During the Kaporos ritual, chickens are picked up by their wings and swung in the air, while a prayer is recited. This swinging process alone can cause pain, broken wings and severed tendons. Ultimately, the fowl is slaughtered in accordance with halachic rules.

Why Is Kaporos performed? The ritual allows for practitioners to atone for their sins. The sins of the person are transferred to the fowl, and then the animal is donated to foodbanks to feed those in need.

Unfortunately, though, these animals aren’t always donated; many end up discarded in the trash. Some lucky animals are able to escape and many are saved by animal rights groups. Those that do survive are taken to farm animal sanctuaries like The Mad Turkey Farm.

Kaporos Fast Facts:

• Kaporos is performed by a small sect of Hasidic Jews. Not all Jewish people practice the ritual; in fact, many are strongly opposed to it.
• More than 60,000 chickens are slaughtered during Kaporos each year.
• Many of the chickens die from exposure, as they’re left in crates on the streets for as long as a week without food or water.
• According to the custom, the chickens should be donated to foodbanks. Unfortunately, many dead or dying chickens are placed in trash bags and discarded.
• Each year, hundreds of chickens escape the horrors of Kaporos, and are saved by animal rights groups on the streets of NYC.

Is There a More Humane Option?

Kaporos can be performed without chickens. In fact, a more humane method involves replacing the chickens with cash, which is then donated to the poor. The ritual is essential the same: A small cash donation, of about $20 is wrapped in a white cloth, and swung over a person’s head, while a prayer is recited. The cash is then donated to those in need.

Who Performs Kaporos?

It’s important to note that only a small portion of the Hasidic Jewish community in the U.S. practices Kaporos; it’s not widely practiced by Jewish people. In fact, many prominent Jewish scholars and religious leaders are opposed to the practice.

Providing a Sanctuary for Kaporos Chickens

Heather, our Kaporos rescue, is enjoying playing in mud

Saving neglected and slaughter-bound animals is what we do at The Mad Turkey Farm. And chickens hold a soft spot in our hearts. We have a large bachelor flock of rescued roosters – some of which survived Kaporos. Like Kaporos chickens – which include both roosters and hens – roosters are often slaughtered in a process known as culling.

Additionally, we have a large flock of hens. We believe that all animals should be given a safe space to be animals and live out their lives free of abuse. We’ll continue to care for Kaporos survivors and continue to call for the end of this practice.

Interested in supporting our Kaporos chicken rescue efforts? Make a donation to The Mad Turkey Farm today and support our mission of saving neglected farm animals.

Saving retired and unwanted horses from slaughter has long been one of our passions. In fact, in many ways, it sparked our love of rescuing farm animals. 

In 2003, we adopted our first racehorse, Lucas, a retiring racer that was looking for a new home. And within a year, we’d saved another, Damask, an ex-racehorse who was destined for a Canadian slaughterhouse. Today, The Mad Turkey Farm is home to seven horses we’ve saved from slaughter, and we’re always looking to expand our reach and rescue these incredible animals.   

Many people don’t understand just how many U.S. horses are sent to slaughter each year. According to estimates, 90,000 to 140,000 American horses are sent to slaughterhouses in Canada in Mexico, and these slaughter-bound horses are subjected to cruelty, long arduous journeys in cramped quarters, and pain and suffering. It’s a cruel, inhumane practice. 

We’re doing our part to save these loveable creatures from cruelty and provide them with new lives at our Virginia farm animal rescue.

What Is an Unwanted Horse? 

An unwanted horse is any animal that has become unwanted by its owner. There are many reasons horses become unwanted, but the four most common include: 

1. A Change in the Owner’s Situation – Caring for horses is expensive and time-consuming. Often, economic hardship or a change in schedule results in owners not being able to properly care for an animal.  
2. The Horse Is Too Old or Injured – Many owners do not want to provide care for injuries, illnesses and lameness. This is especially true in the horse racing industry; at the end of each racing season, thousands of injured race horses are sent to slaughter. 
3. The Horse Is Unmanageable – Horses can be dangerous to handle. This is especially true for certain breeds and wild mustangs (thousands of which are sent to slaughter each year).
4. Doesn’t Meet Owner’s Needs – Often, when a horse is ready to retire from farm work or a racing career, owners no longer want to care for the animal. This can also be if the horse isn’t a right fit for the owner; for example, racing horses are often sent to slaughter if they’re “too slow” or too skittish at the race track.  

Sadly, the vast majority of unwanted horses that are sent to slaughter could be rehomed. In fact, according to the USDA nearly 93% of horses sent to slaughter are in good condition and could live productive lives!  

Horse Slaughter Is Not a Humane Solution

Horse slaughter refers to the practice of killing and processing horses for human consumption. This is much different than humane euthanasia. Slaughter is cruel and painful for the animals. 

In 2007, the U.S. banned horse slaughter, and that year, more than 100,000 animals were killed in U.S. facilities. Despite the ban, the number of American horses slaughtered each year has held steady. 

Today, the horses are now shipped to processing facilities in Canada or Mexico, where the practice remains legal. 

The shipping to slaughter is especially brutal. Horses are often shipped in crowded, unclean trailers and deprived food, water or rest. And these horses – which can include pregnant mare, foals and injured animals – die in transit.

One difficulty in rescuing horses is economics. At auction, horse owners look to make as much money as possible. Therefore, many “kill buyers” – buyers who bid on horses at auction and then sell them to slaughterhouses – often have the cash to outbid those who would provide these animals with good homes.    

What Can Help and How We’re Playing Our Part

Bottom line, slaughter is not an adequate solution for unwanted horses. There are much better options – from rehoming able-bodied horses, to providing sanctuaries for injured and elderly horses. 

At The Mad Turkey Farm, we work hard to provide happy lives for our slaughter-bound horses. This includes open pastures, proper diets and adequate physical care. Rescuing horses is one of our passions, and it’s a key focus of our farm animal rescue efforts. 

Chickens – and especially roosters – are one of the most abused and mistreated farm animals in the world. Whereas hens are typically kept around for as long as they produce eggs, roosters are often killed or discarded at birth. 

Sadly, this is true about roosters from all walks, from those born in large-scale, industrial hatcheries, to those born in backyards in suburbia. 

At The Mad Turkey Farm, we’re passionate about saving roosters and providing them with happy forever homes. In fact, we have a large and growing bachelor flock at our rescue. Interested in why rooster neglect is such a problem and what we’re doing to help? Keep reading for some insights into our rooster rescue. 

Why Are There So Many Unwanted Roosters?

Roosters are one of the most discarded animals on the farm. In fact, most large-scale hatcheries kill roosters at birth. And for many backyard breeders, culling is the fastest option for dealing with roosters. For those that make it into their first year of life, many wind up homeless, are mistreated or abused, or are ultimately killed.

This problem is widespread. Many farm animal rescues will not accept roosters, as they’ve been overwhelmed with unwanted birds and don’t have the space. But why is the problem so bad? Here are a few reasons unwanted roosters have such a tough time: 

• No Egg Production – Unlike hens, roosters don’t lay eggs. Therefore, many only see them as an added expense.
• Crowing – Roosters crow, and many see them as a noisy addition to the flock. This is especially burdensome for urban and suburban breeders. 
• Mis-Sexing – Sexing chickens isn’t always 100% accurate. As a result, many find unexpected roosters in their flocks.
• Myths of Bad Temperament – Many assume that roosters are aggressive. Yet, in bachelor flocks most roosters are peaceful and friendly.

Bottom line, roosters have a bad rap. And as a result, the homeless rooster population is growing throughout the U.S. 

Bachelor Flocks: A Solution for Unwanted Roosters

A bachelor flock refers to a flock of only male chickens. According to the Adopt a Bird Network, bachelor flocks don’t require roosters to be the same breed, size, or age. Instead, the flock establishes a pecking order, with an alpha rooster that maintains order and protects the others. Without hens in the flock, roosters typically have nothing to fight over and are happy to live together in harmony.

At The Mad Turkey Farm, we have a large and growing bachelor flock, and have found that our bachelor roosters live together peacefully.

About Our Rooster Rescue Efforts

At our farm, we’ve saved roosters from all walks, from homeless birds found along the side of the road, to unwanted backyard roosters. We’ve built a beautiful rooster sanctuary to provide permanent homes to these loveable creatures. 

Currently, we have a large flock of rescue birds, and we love to get to know each rooster’s unique personality. Chickens get a bad rap, but we’ve found that they’re really individuals. If you take the time to get to know each one, you really see their individuality.  

Interested in supporting our rooster rescue efforts? Make a donation today and help us rescue farm animals in Virginia. 

Here at The Mad Turkey Farm, we’re committed to being a sanctuary for farm animals, but our efforts don’t stop at the barnyard. We believe that all animals – from the native birds, to local amphibian and insect species – should have a safe, welcoming place to live and call home. 

Working with the Northern Virginia chapter of the National Audubon Society, The Mad Turkey Farm recently earned “Audubon at Home Wildlife Sanctuary” designation. Essentially, this designation means we protect habitat for local species on our farm, commit to conservation, and measure the results of our actions. 

We’re very proud to have been a certified sanctuary through this program. The Audubon Society does such amazing work conserving habitat for wildlife, and we love working with the local chapter to help grow this program. 

What Is an Audubon at Home Wildlife Sanctuary?     

Here’s how the Northern Virginia Audubon Society describes the program: “The largest volume of acreage available for conservation and restoration of healthy green space in Northern Virginia is ‘at home’ in our own backyards.” In other words, the program was launched to encourage homeowners, homeowner associations, parks and other public and private lands (like our farm) to protect and conserve local habitat. 

To be eligible, properties must be located in Northern Virginia and commit to three conservation guidelines: 

1. Attract 10 Sanctuary Species – There are more than 40 species targeted by the program, which are birds, mammals, insects, etc. that are beneficial, local and that are at risk. Species include birds like the Baltimore Oriole and Carolina Chickadee, as well as reptiles like the Eastern Box Turtle.
2. Make the Healthy Yard Pledge – The pledge encourages limiting pesticides, conserving water, planting native species and protecting bird habitats.  
3. Measure Progress – To be certified, participants must also be willing to track their progress and observe changes over time. 

Help Us Grow This Amazing Program – Take the Pledge! 

What a cool program! We couldn’t be more excited to maintain and grow our wildlife sanctuary, and encourage our Northern Virginia neighbors to get involved as well. As of December 2020, more than 700 properties have been designated Wildlife Sanctuaries. 

Interested if your property is eligible? To participate, all you need to do is fill out the application form on the Audubon’s website and schedule a no-cost at-home visit from an Audubon Society volunteer. Then, you work to attract 10 species, before submitting your application. 

This is such an incredible effort from our friends at the Audubon Society, and we’re really enjoying tracking species at our farm. We’ve seen a wide range of birds, from American Goldfinches to summer-time Swallowtails!