Introduction – Carbon Sustainability and Animal Welfare
This post is about actionable animal welfare, in particular chickens. Wondering what’s the connection to sustainability and carbon reduction? At ShrinkThatFootprint we’ve always conveyed useful information for sustainable food by showing readers the carbon impact of different protein sources. For example beef is about 10 times more carbon intensive than chicken, and chicken in turn is about 100 times more carbon intensive than nuts and seeds. What we’ve never talked about are addressing the residual animal welfare concerns after making the initial decision to step away from certain protein sources. So there’s really no connection, except for wanting to care about animals.
Chickens – Small Enough To Be Cared For By A Few People
We’re particularly interested in chickens because individually each is small enough to care for by a single person. Chickens are a common type of poultry kept by humans for their eggs, meat, or feathers. Adopting chicken is becoming popular among animal lovers. Chickens are low maintenance and can live in small spaces, making them ideal for city living. However, before you adopt chicken, there are some things you should know about their care and needs.
Chickens need a place to roost or sleep. This can be a simple structure such as a wooden box or tree branch. Chickens also need a place to nest or lay their eggs. This can be a nesting box filled with straw or hay.
Backyard chickens need a coop or chicken house. This structure provides shelter from the sun, rain, and predators. The coop should have a perch for the chickens to roost and a nesting box to lay their eggs in. They are energetic and playful creatures that need plenty of space to roam and explore.
Why Should You Adopt Chickens?
Chickens are amazing creatures that can provide you with so many benefits. Why should you adopt chickens? Chickens can help reduce your carbon footprint; they provide fresh eggs, are great for your garden, and make great pets.
Chickens eat insects and grubs, reducing the number of pesticides you need to use in your garden. In addition, chickens fertilize the soil as they scratch around, looking for food. This means that you can use less synthetic fertilizer, which further reduces your impact on the environment.
Chickens also provide you with fresh eggs. Store-bought eggs are often several weeks old by the time you get them, but eggs from your chickens will be fresh and delicious. You can even get creative with your egg dishes, using them in everything from breakfast casseroles to mayonnaise.
Another benefit of owning chickens is that they make great compost for your garden. Chicken manure is an excellent source of nitrogen and other nutrients to help plants grow. In addition, the scratching behavior of chickens aerates the soil, which helps roots to breathe and prevents compaction.
Finally, chickens make great pets. They are intelligent animals that form strong bonds with their owners. Chickens are also relatively low-maintenance, so they won’t require much time or effort to care for them. If you’re looking for a pet that provides companionship and fresh eggs, then chickens are a great choice.
Chicken Care Considerations
Chicken care is important for the health and welfare of your chickens. Chickens are susceptible to several diseases and parasites, so it’s important to check them regularly for signs of illness. They also need a clean environment to stay healthy, so you should clean their housing regularly. A chicken diet is also important; you should ensure they have access to fresh water and a nutritious diet. Here are some chicken care considerations to keep in mind:
Health
Regularly check your chickens for signs of illness, and consult a vet if you’re concerned about their health. Vaccinate them against common diseases, such as Newcastle disease and Marek’s disease. Newcastle is contagious and fatal with a viral source that affects the lungs, nervous system, and digestive systems of poultry. It’s also quick-developing, leading to death before symptoms show. Marek’s similarly is a bird disease caused by a viral source, in this case a herpesvirus. The disease affects the nervous system and causes tumorous growth in organs.
Housing
Keep their housing clean and dry, and provide them with plenty of ventilation. Their coop should be big enough to move around freely, and you should provide perches and nesting boxes for them to use.
Diet
A chicken diet is important for their health. Ensure they have access to fresh water and a nutritious diet with grit and calcium. You can buy special chicken feed from pet stores or make your own using scratch grains, kitchen scraps, and other ingredients.
Behavior
Chickens are social animals, so they need to be kept in groups. Provide toys and enrichment items such as mirrors and hanging balls to keep them entertained. Chicken care is important for the health and welfare of your chickens. Follow these tips to ensure your chickens are healthy and happy.
How Do You Rescue A Battery Hen?
In the United Kingdom, keeping hens in cages smaller than a standard A4 sheet of paper is illegal. However, this does not stop some farmers from keeping their hens in tiny “battery cages.” These cages are so small that the hens cannot stretch their wings or move around. As a result, they often suffer from health problems such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
Fortunately, several organizations work to rescue these battery hens and give them a better life. One such organization is the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT). The BHWT rescues around 50,000 hens annually and finds new homes for them. The process of rescuing a battery hen is quite simple.
First, the BHWT contacts the farmer and arranges to collect the hens. Next, a team of volunteers goes to the farm and collects the hens from their cages. Finally, the hens are taken to a special rehoming center, where they are given food, water, and medical care. After a few weeks, the hens are healthy enough to be adopted by new families who can give them the loving home they deserve.
So, if you’re interested in rescuing a battery hen, get in touch with the BHWT or another similar organization. With your help, these poor animals can finally enjoy a life of freedom and happiness.
What Is An Ex-Battery Hen?
A battery hen is a chicken that is raised for egg production. The term “battery hen” refers to how the chickens are confined to battery cages. Battery cages are typically crowded with 5 to 10 birds, and each has an average space of less than half a square foot. As a result of these cramped conditions, battery hens often suffer from health problems such as fatty liver disease, respiratory infections, and osteoporosis.
In addition, they are unable to engage in natural behaviors such as nesting, perching, and dust bathing. When their egg-laying productivity declines, battery hens are typically sent to slaughter. Ex-battery hens have been rescued from these conditions and live in the sanctuary.
Ex-battery hens often require special care due to the lasting effects of their time in confinement. For example, many ex-battery hens have trouble walking due to the weakness of their bones. However, with proper care and attention, these hens can enjoy a happy and healthy life outside the battery cage.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, chicken care is important for the health and welfare of your chickens. Make sure they have access to fresh water and a nutritious diet and provide them with plenty of space to move around. In addition, chickens are social animals, so they need to be kept in groups. Provide toys and enrichment items such as mirrors and hanging balls to keep them entertained. Finally, if you’re interested in rescuing a battery hen, contact the British Hen Welfare Trust or another similar organization. With your help, these poor animals can finally enjoy a life of freedom and happiness.
You can also read:
Hydroponic Ecosystem: Everything You Need To Know
What Is Food Sustainability and How Does It Work?
