BATTERY CAGES: BAD ANIMAL WELFARE PRODUCES BAD FOOD

Illinois Humane Political Action Committee

by

Steven Jay Gross, Ph.D.

A. A DEFINITION: BATTERY CAGE

A typical battery cage is wire. It is about the size of a half sheet of newspaper, typically 18" x 15" and about 16" high. According to the United Egg Producers this amounts to an average of 48 square inches of space for a 3-4 pound hen.' Cages are stacked on top of each other bleacher style. Although waste

material often is removed by an automated belt, feces are found in and around the cages. The air is heavy with excretory toxic ammonia fumes from the decomposing uric acid in the droppings, searing the hens' lungs and eyes. Even at low concentra­tions ammonia can be absorbed into eggs.2,3,4

Five to six hens are usually stuffed in a cage that is not adequate space for one hen. Some operators crowd as

many as nine hens in a cage insufficient for one hen. The hens typically remain in these cages for one to one and a half years unless they are recycled through a starvation practice called forced molting, whereby they remain in the cages for as long as three years.2,5,6,7,8

CHARACTERISTICS OF HENS RAISED IN BATTERY CAGES

^1.   Battery caged hens suffer from a myriad of physical illnesses, are under constant stress, and many hens are in constant pain. The hens' overall welfare is not considered in a battery cage factory. Traditional husbandry practices are ignored in favor of mass production. The lack of exercise causes brittle bones and the majority of hens will suffer broken bones by the time they are slaughtered. According to Feedstuffs (1992), "a hen will use a quantity of calcium for yearly egg production that is greater than her entire skeleton by 30-fold or more." Foot and claw damage also is frequent and extremely painful.^2,3,4,8,9,10

2.  Battery caged hens cannot engage in normal behaviors that are critical to their well being. They cannot stretch their wings (typical wing span is 30-32 inches). Indeed, hens cannot even stretch one wing. Animal Science studies have established that hens have a need to engage in nesting behaviors. They need a littered floor so that they can peck, scratch and dustbathe, an essential part of bodily hygiene for chickens. They have a need

Battery Cage Confinement Facility

to perch, particularly in the evening. Hens in battery cages are deprived of the ability to engage in any of these behaviors.The inability to engage in critical species specific behav­iors leads to extreme stress. Furthermore, hens normally are extremely active during the day – walking, running, flying, exploring, dustbathing and foraging for food. All of these behaviors are denied hens in battery cages. Studies have shown hens to be naturally curi­ous, having a strong need to explore their environment. This is not possible in the batterycage environment. 2,3,4,8,9, 10

3. Battery caged hens cannot engage in basic social behaviors normal for their species. Hens are innately social animals. At the same time, they are semi-migratory birds with a need for "social distance" from one another. Battery cages thwart a hen's normal social behaviors causing them to become aggressive, frustrated, and stressed. 2,3,4,8,9,10

B. PUBLIC SURVEYS AND LEGAL OPINIONS

Surveys in the United States found an overwhelming majority of people (70%-90%) per­ceive the battery cage to be cruel." Similar surveys in Europe found public opinion also to be overwhelmingly (89%) against the battery cage confinement system.12

In one of the longest trials in Britain against McDonald Corporation, the court found the bat­tery cage to be inherently cruel. Similar legal findings have been issued in Australia.

TRENDS IN THE UNITED STATES AND WORLDWIDE

1.The European Union has ordered battery cages to be phased out by 2012. Switzerland phased out battery cages in 1987. Swiss farmers compete effectively against farmers using battery cages. Illinois's Food Animal Concern Trust (FACT) has created a business geared for small family farmers who wish to raise hens using alterna­tive systems. These family farmers produce eggs under the NEST EGGS® label. To qualify as a NEST EGG® farmer, you must provide hens with two square feet of space, litter, nest boxes, no antibiotics or hormones in their feed, and no forced molting. NEST EGGS® are sold at food stores throughout Illinois.

2. Several states have introduced legislation to phase out battery cages (e.g.Washington) or ban forced molting (e.g. California, Oregon).

Feather loss and brittle bones are common among battery caged hens.

3. Health concerns about egg safety continue to plague the factory farm industry. While there is substantial concern about egg safety within factory farms, NEST EGGS® has significantly reduced health problems. The elimination of battery cages in Switzerland also substantially reduced the health risks commonly associated with battery-caged hens and their eggs.

C. HEALTH ISSUES: HOW SAFE ARE EGGS?

DYING FOR EGGS

1. According to the Government Accounting Office (GAO) eggs contaminated by Salmonella enteritidis (SE) bacteria has been a public health problem since 1988. In 1997, over 300,000 illnesses and between 115-229 deaths occurred as a result of SE according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).13 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that the costs due to illnesses and deaths from SE run into the billions of dollars. A more recent study published in a journal of the American Medical Association suggests that the number of dollars lost because of food poisoning may be higher.

2. According to the GAO, shell eggs are the leading source of SE infection (82%).13,14 One should note that the GAO visited egg regulatory agencies in four states, including Illinois, in developing their report on egg safety. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) almost never inspects shell egg production and processing operations. This means egg farms where eggs can be contaminated are almost never inspected by the FDA.

3. Egg safety is inadequate and Illinois consumers are at risk. A July, 1999 GAO report notes, "the nation's egg safety efforts lack an organizational focus and contain gaps, inconsistencies and inefficiencies." According to the GAO "raw and undercooked eggs continue to be hazardous." 13,14 In direct contrast, countries such as Switzerland that have outlawed battery cages report minimal SE. In the US, NEST EGGS®, where the hens are raised in non-confinement facilities, successfully reduced their SE levels by over 70%.15

HOW TO MAKE EGGS UNHEALTHY: BATTERY CAGES

According to the GAO factors likely to increase bacterial levels and chicken contamination are battery cages, heavy rodent populations, and forced molting. All of these factors are either absent or minimized in non-confinement facilities.13,14

Debeaked hens in battery cage. Hen on right shows evidence of a common eye infection.

HUMAN DISEASE AND EGGS FROM BATTERY CAGED HENS

1. Human reactions to SE include abdominal pain, bloody stools, diarrhea, fever, headache and vomiting. More severe reactions range from bloodstream infections to arthritis and meningitis. According to the GAO, sixty-eight percent of the deaths from SE occurred among nursing home residents.13,14

2. Chicken feed often contains antibiotics. In layers, antibiotics are used to treat the diseases that are often caused by the filthy conditions of factory farms. Research suggests antibiotics in food animals may reduce effectiveness of related antibiotics used to treat humans. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends the restriction of antibiotic use in animal feed. Several European countries ban the use of four antibiotics considered important in treating humans. Experts at FDA, CDC, and HHS believe resistant strains of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli are linked to the use of antibiotics in animals. HHS reports "the fact that use of antibiotics in agriculture contributes to resistance in food-borne pathogens has been established." Both CDC and FDA scientists agree with HHS linking food animal use of antimicrobials to the development of antibiotic resistance in food borne pathogens.13.14

BAD ANIMAL WELFARE AND BAD FOOD

There is a strong connection between the suffering of chickens raised in battery cages and risks to human health in the eggs and meat produced from these animals.

1. Poor ventilation in poultry houses can causes high concentrations of excretory toxic ammonia gases to develop which irritates the respiratory tract of birds, predisposing them to infection.

2. Infected hens excrete Salmonella bacteria for up to 28 days, making cross-contamination almost inevitable. A USDA sponsored study reports that "forced molted flocks produced SE positive eggs twice as frequently as non-molted flocks for a period up to 140 days following molt." 13.14.16

3. Dead poultry often are rendered, dried and used as protein supplements in chicken feed. We increase the risk of disease in the birds, and therefore, increase the risk of contaminated eggs.

D. HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFE EGGS

1. Switzerland has outlawed confinement farming practices for over a decade and Swiss poultry is now practically Salmonella free.10

2. Recent studies in medical journals suggest food poisoning in the U.S. is widespread and extremely costly.

3. According to agricultural industry sources, 90% of feed given to chickens is supplemented with antibacterial additions. (Illinois's largest non-confinement facility for egg laying hens does not routinely use antibacterial agents.)17

4. Pathogens have been found on walls, feeders, drinkers, floors, insects, water and feed at intensive poultry farms. No system, which is dependent on the routine use of antibiotics, can be thought of as healthy or in the best interest of the citizens of Illinois.

ECONOMICS OF CONFINEMENT FACILITIES ON ILLINOIS SMALL FAMILY FARMERS

1. Confinement farms are not only cruel to animals; they destroy Illinois's small family farmer. According to the GAO, from 1985-1996 the number of commercial egg farms declined from approximately 3000 to 100 and today most egg production is concentrated on a relatively small number of large farms.13 Small family farmers do best when they use tradi­tional husbandry skills. The question is: Do we support Illinois small family farmers, the public and our environment, or do we cater to the greed of a few large corporations?

2. Hidden costs of battery cage facilities are significant: a) pollution and other damage to the environment; b) reduced food safety and a higher incidence of food poisoning and other foodborne diseases; c) the clean-up costs dealing with major crises such as SE, and d) the huge amount of suffering imposed on hens raised in battery cages.

3. Cost of food-borne illnesses in the US is estimated to be 8 billion dollars. Eggs produced in non-confinement facilities are estimated to cost approximately 15-50 cents more per dozen eggs. With the average household consuming 9 eggs per week, the increased cost to the consumer would be less than the price of a cup of coffee per week. There would be sig­nificant savings in tax dollars for the citizens of Illinois if taxpayers could forgo the hidden medical and environmental costs of battery cages.

4. Numerous studies show that consumers are willing to pay more to have safer eggs, hens in more humane conditions, to protect the small family farmer, and to have a safer environ­ment-let's make that a reality for the citizens of Illinois by phasing out battery cages.

References

1. "UEP reviewing animal welfare guidelines to keep egg producers in good standing," Feedstuffs, May 1,2000, pg. 11.

2. Davis, Karen, Ph.D. "Prisoned chickens, poisoned eggs: an inside look at the modem poultry industry" (Summertown, Tennessee: Book Publishing Company, 1996) pgs. 54-100.

3. Appleby, M.C. "Do hens suffer in battery cages: a review of the scientific evidence." Commissioned by the Athene Trust, October, 1991.

4. Bauston, Gene. "Battered birds crated herds: how we treat the animals we eat" (Michigan: Book crafters, 1996, pgs. 23-26.

5. Holt, Peter. "Impact of induced molting on immunity and salmonella enteritidis," U.S. Poultry and Egg Association Project 363, 1999. pgs. 10-11.

6. Holt, Peter and Porter, R.E. "Microbiological & histopathological effects of an induced molt fasting procedure on a salmonella enteritidis infection in chickens. Avian Diseases, 36:610-618.

7. Ruszler, Paul. "The keys to successful induced molting of Leghorn-type hens." Virginia Cooperative Extension, Publication Number 408-026,1997.

8. Rollin, B. Farm Animal Welfare, (Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1995). pgs. 117-141.

9. Turner, J. and Lymbery, P. "Brittle bones osteoporosis and the battery cage."Report for Compassion in World Farming," 1999.

10. Swiss Society for the Protection of Animals STS, "Laying hens: 12 years of experience with new husbandry systems in Switzerland (Bern: Kummery & Frey AG, 1994) pgs. 11 -14.

11. Opinion Research Corporation, "Results of a nationwide telephone survey of 1,012 adults." 1995. Animal Rights Inc.

12. "How do you like your eggs?" Compassion in World Farming, 1998.

13. United States General Accounting Office. "Food safety: U.S. lacks a consistent farm-to-table approach to egg safety." GAO/RCED-99-184, 1999.

14. United States General Accounting Office. "Food safety and quality: Salmonella control efforts show need for more coordination." GAO/RCED-92-69, 1992.

15. Food Animal Concerns Trust, "The comments of Food Animal Concerns Trust about the egg safety action plan." April 19, 2000. (Unpublished).

16. United States Department of Agriculture. "Effect of molting on the prevalence of Se in layer flocks." Salmonella enter­itidis pilot project progress report; 1995, pgs. 66-68.

17. Personal Communication. Rod Wubbena of Phil's Eggs, May 2, 2000.