Farmed Animal Watch - February 26, 2003

1. OVER 1 MILLION BIRDS MAY HAVE DIED FROM ROOF CAVE-INS
Poultry companies are reporting huge losses of chickens and turkeys after record snowfall hit the eastern U.S. last week. The majority of the losses were in Virgina and West Virginia, with some 63 buildings reported damaged. Damage to poultry houses in W.V. was estimated at $10 million. Federal disaster aid may be made available. In Maryland, the roofs of 3 of 5 buildings at an ISE operation (see issue #11) caved-in, trapping 300,000 hens in cages, many of whom were crushed. Automated feeding and watering systems also failed. Investigators from Compassion Over Killing (COK) documented the situation (see: http://www.cok.net/camp/inv/isedisaster.php ). The Washington, D.C. Fox News affiliate showed some of the footage along with aerial footage of the extensive damage. A week after the cave-ins occurred, company officials were planning to kill surviving birds with carbon monoxide. In mid-January, a defective poultry shed in Massachusetts collapsed after being additionally burdened with snow and ice. The structure was condemned, and it was decided later that same day to pump carbon dioxide into the building to kill the 14,000 trapped chickens. A video news report on it can be found at: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/1882142/detail.html

At least 20 cows died during the recent snowstorm after a cave-in at a dairy in Maryland. Hundreds of others were left in a roofless barn. The dairy owner expressed concern that the cold would affect production and cause the cows to eat more. A collapsed building also killed calves in Pennsylvania (story & photo at: http://www.pottstownmercury.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7101049&BRD=1674&PAG=461&dept_id=18041&rfi=6 ).

"Snowstorm Kills Poultry in Shenandoah Valley," Watt Poultry USA, February 24, 2003.
http://www.wattnet.com/NewsRoom/ViewNews.cfm?PG=1&nwsNum=13385
"Winter Storm Damages 39 Poultry Houses in Va., W. Va.," Poultry Today, February 21, 2003.
http://www.poultryandeggnews.com/poultrytoday/news/20030221/1029916.html
"Collapse Kills, Traps 300,000 Chickens," The Baltimore Sun, Chris Guy, February 22, 2003.
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.hens22feb22,0,6839785.story?coll=ba1%2Dlocal%2Dheadlines
"New Midway Farmer Suffers Barn Collapse, 20 Cattle Die," The Gazette, C. Patterson, 2/20/03.
http://www.gazette.net/200308/walkersville/news/145229-1.html

2. HEN CONDITIONS SUBJECT OF NEWSCAST
The day before the Fox News story in item #1, the station did an 8-minute segment on conditions for hens used for commercial egg production. Undercover footage taken by Compassion Over Killing (COK) was shown (see http://www.cok.net/camp/inv/rb/ ), and COK's Paul Shapiro remarked, "The factory farmers worst nightmare is an activist with a video camera." Cage density and United Egg Producer (UEP)'s new welfare standards were discussed. According to UEP's Ken Klippen, research has shown cages to be more humane, and that chickens "prefer to be in cages." He also said hens are more sanitary in cages, and denied COK's assertion that manure drops on hens from those in cages above. [UEP's new standards recommend that cages be configured in such a way that manure not drop directly on birds in lower level cages.] The reporter noted that there are no federal laws protecting farmed animals. He concluded the report by explaining the minimal change in space that UEP's standards will afford hens, and that the standards are voluntary and do not go fully into effect until 2008.

Living conditions for hens were also the predominant focus of a February 10th Chicago Tribune article entitled, "Activists Target Factory Farms." Midwest undercover investigations by Mercy for Animals and Compassionate Action for Animals were discussed (see: http://www.eggcruelty.com and http://www.ca4a.org/bbc ). UEP's Ken Klippen deflected cruelty accusations by pointing to the new welfare guidelines. HSUS's Michael Appleby states: "When people learn about the treatment of egg-laying hens–the way they're crammed into these tiny cages–they become shocked and horrified."

3. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVE HENS THROWN INTO WOOD CHIPPERS
To reduce flock size, workers at two Ward Egg Ranch operations in California have been throwing live hens into wood chipping machines. Typically, hens are killed with gas or by having their neck broken. A worker explained that their arms got tired from breaking the chickens' necks, so they just threw them into the chippers. At one location, 30,000 hens were killed, most of whom were alive when they went into the machine. A foreman directed a San Diego Animal Services officer to veterinarian Gregg Cutler. According to the officer, Cutler said he directed the ranch to use the chipper which he claimed was "humane because it was immediate and painless." She reported that Cutler also represented himself as a consultant to the USDA. Cutler [who claims to have over 20 years experience in poultry practice] denied the affiliation and any knowledge of what the operations were doing, stating, "I just choose not to discuss anything." Animal Services was tipped off to the case by a local resident.

4. NEWCASTLE, COCKFIGHTING & COMPENSATION
Over 3 million birds are estimated to have been killed or are scheduled to be killed in California as a result of the Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) outbreak (see N.5, V.2). The vast majority of them have been from the 17 commercial operations that have been depopulated. About 100,000 of the birds were from backyard flocks, of which about 35% were classified as fighting birds by the END Task Force. The virus has the identical "fingerprint" of the virus discovered in Mexico two years earlier, and cockfighting is widely blamed for its spread (see N.5, V.2). At the 55th annual International Poultry Exposition, held in Atlanta in January, it was said that 99.9% of the disease is in "backyard fighting birds." Of the estimated 4-5 million California backyard flocks, 3 million are in Southern California where the outbreak originated. While it is illegal to fight roosters in California it is not illegal to keep birds bred for that purpose. California state veterinarian Richard Breitmeyer said that prior to the outbreak, the size of the state's backyard flock population was unknown. He urged other state veterinarians to get a handle on the cockfighting industry in their states. (Cockfighting is illegal in all but 2 states.) Due to the disease, the U.S. Postal Service and commercial airlines have halted shipments of birds (see issue #39).

On February 20th, the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) sent Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman a letter calling for the USDA to crack down on cockfighting. The organization pointed out the disease transmission risks posed by the transport of birds for fighting purposes. It also noted that, despite having alerted the USDA to illegal animal fighting operations, there has been a lack of federal enforcement against violations of interstate cockfighting prohibitions which have been in place since 1976. As of May 2003, all interstate movement of birds for fighting will be illegal. HSUS asked Veneman for the USDAs aggressive enforcement of it, and for its support of new federal legislation which is being introduced to increase animal fighting penalties and ban any interstate movement of cockfighting implements (see issue #92). The organization also mentioned that state and federal expenditures of over $40 million have been spent fighting the outbreak, and cost estimates for its containment run as high as $500 million. This includes "fair market value"compensation for birds killed to eradicate the disease. HSUS rebuked the USDA for compensating cockfighters, up to $1,500 per bird, for birds who cannot be legally sold in the U.S. A USDA spokesperson said it will take time to respond to the letter due to the research required.

Since 1999, California egg production has cost more than wholesalers are willing to pay. "These last 3 years have easily been the worst in history,"said one egg operation owner. Referring to the compensation money, he added, "For a guy who's been losing money for three years this could be the first sizable check in a long time."

"Gamecock Crackdown Demanded by U.S. Humane Society," Knight-Ridder Tribune, Leslie Berkman, February 22, 2003 (Feb. 23rd AnimalNet): http://131.104.232.9/animalnet-archives.htm
"Fourth Poultry Ranch Infected with Newcastle," The San Diego Union Tribune, Elizabeth Fitzsimons, February 21, 2003.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20030221-9999_1mi21fourth.html
"Egg Industry Addresses Newcastle Concerns," Poultry Times, Barbara Olejnik, Feb. 17, 2003.
http://www.poultryandeggnews.com/poultrytimes/focus/February2003/1003000.html
"Newcastle Problems Keep Expanding," Egg Industry, February 2003.
http://www.wattnet.com/Archives/Docs/203eipdf.pdf?CFID=28327&CFTOKEN=64015918
"Poultry Rancher Stamina Tested," Los Angeles Daily News, Alan Schnepf, February 15, 2003.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20950~1182428,00.html

5. OTHER COCKFIGHTING NEWS
Arizona voters banned cockfighting in 1998, but local authorities say it is still happening. The activity is blamed for the arrival of Newcastle disease in the state (see N.5, V.2). Members of the Animal Cruelty Task Force want people who raise chickens for illegal cockfighting to be aware of the highly contagious disease and its symptoms.

A state and county task force busted a Napa County (Ca.) cockfighting operation on February 23rd. There was 1 arrest and 9 citations for cockfighting, and 1 arrest for immigration violation. Local residents had criticized local law enforcement for not cracking down sooner. Officials said they had been busy collecting money, evidence and personnel for the raid. The 8-month investigation included aerial photographs, wiretapping, and the purchase of a fighting bird by undercover agents. The raid turned up 1,000 chickens who were taken into custody as evidence. Anyone attempting to claim a bird will be ticketed. In addition to the birds, officers found a matted, filthy and shivering calf, goats, rabbits and about 8 dogs. All were taken into custody by animal control. Sparring muffs, and various drugs including steroids, were also found at the site.

"Illegal Cockfighting May Spread Disease," KOLD-T.V. (Tucson), February 19, 2003.
http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=1140339&nav=14RTE6U6
"Cops Bust Cockfighting Ring," Napa Valley Register, Roseann Keegan, February 23, 2003.
http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template=story_full&id=FB7A72E3-DEDA-41A1-B47B-D77AF5BCC0A3
"House Roundup: Cockfighting Penalty Bill Advances" Tulsa World, Barbara Hoberock, 2/26/03

6. FORMER TYSON WORKER RELATES DELIBERATE TORTURES
Virgil Butler, a former Tyson employee, has prepared a signed statement of the abuses he saw inflicted on chickens at the Arkansas slaughterplant where he worked from July 1997 to November 2002. Butler told of birds regularly being left in cages on trucks for hours in the summer heat, many of whom died of dehydration. Others died inside of heat stroke, heart attack, and suffocation, or froze to death during cold weather. He also explained how birds had their legs broken to fit them into hanging shackles (see item #7). Butler wrote of the processing line breaking down, resulting in birds left to drown in the cold water stun bath. He told of his supervisor requiring the power to the electric water bath be kept turned down, resulting in large percentages of birds missing the stunner, evading the killer, and instead being scalded to death. Butler told of chickens intentionally run over by a forklift driver, and of co-workers who ripped live birds apart or stomped them to death out of aggravation. He also explained how one co-worker used dry ice "bombs" to blow live chickens apart.

Tyson Foods is the top supplier of chickens to KFC. PETA has been campaigning for KFC to improve the treatment of the chickens it uses (see N.1, V.2). This includes replacing ineffective electric stunning baths with gas killing, phasing out problematic breeding practices, increasing space and otherwise improving living conditions for the birds. PETA is now also calling for prosecution of Tyson Foods and five of its employees on charges of cruelty to animals.

7. CHICKEN WELFARE ISSUES
The current issue of Poultry Digest Online (V.3, N.2) contains a paper entitled "Poultry Welfare Issues," by Dr. Inma Estevez, a poultry welfare specialist at the University of Maryland. The following information is derived from the 12-page paper, which focuses on chickens used for meat production. Commercial flocks average about 1% mortality because of leg disorders, with an additional 2% condemned or downgraded at slaughter due to the same. This results in a direct financial loss of $80-120 million a year to the chicken industry. The angulation of weakened femur bones makes it difficult to shackle birds without causing them pain (see item #6). Leg disorders also result in higher incidence of breast blisters, ammonia burns, and foot pad dermatitis from exposure to soiled litter. Contact dermatitis caused by lameness has been shown to affect up to 20% of the flock. Improved breeding and management practices are recommended to minimize leg disorders.

Chickens are often kept in dim light to limit the amount of energy that would be used for walking. Subsequent exposure to bright light can excite the birds and lead to bruising. Catching crews often pay little care to preventing injuries, resulting in bruises; dislocated and broken hips, legs, and wings; and internal bleeding. Hip dislocation occurs when birds are loaded by one leg into transport crates, and has been linked to the speed and lack of care of the catching crew (see the "Chickens and Turkeys" section of "Meet Your Meat" at: http://www.goveg.com/r-mym.html ). An estimated 0.2% of birds die during transport, with exponential increases in relation to journey duration. It was further found that up to 47% of the deaths were linked to congestive heart failure and a resultant heart attack, likely due to the stress associated with catching and transport. Trauma accounted for 35% of deaths. The main causes of trauma were: dislocated or broken hips (76%), liver hemorrhage (11%), and head trauma (8%). Broken bones and bruising can also occur during preslaughter handling due to frantic wing flapping. Small birds usually do not reach the water level of the electric bath and are slaughtered while fully conscious. Variation in leg size can also result in inadequate stunning current flow. Thermal stress is also addressed in the paper, which includes recommendations for minimizing problems.

The National Chicken Council (NCC) developed a set of voluntary welfare guidelines for the industry in 2001. The NCC did not have a scientific advisory committee help develop them, but they were reviewed by independent poultry "experts" and veterinarians from academia. Some of the main points of the NCC auditing system include: humane disposal of unviable chicks and pipped eggs, a maximum ammonia level and stocking density (0.6 sq. ft. per bird), and euthanasia. The guidelines recommend that no more than 7 birds be carried per hand, and that all birds be able to sit at the same time in transport crates. A maximum 6 hour holding time at slaughterplants is recommended. The paper, which includes references, can be accessed at: http://www.wattnet.com/library/DownLoad/PD2aw.pdf

8. "THE HOLOCAUST ON YOUR PLATE" NATIONAL TOUR & MASSKILLING.COM
"The Holocaust provides a context of exploring the dangers of remaining silent, apathetic, and indifferent in the face of others' oppression,"explains the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. PETA's new "Holocaust on Your Plate" national tour is an effort to stimulate contemplation of how the victimization of those characterized as "life unworthy of life" during the Holocaust parallels the way modern society abuses and justifies the slaughter of animals. The project, a display of 8 60-square-foot panels of slaughterplant scenes shown side by side with comparable photos from Nazi death camps, debuted in California last week.

A companion web site: http://www.MassKilling.com features images, excerpts from Eternal Treblinka ( http://www.powerfulbook.com ) and other text, and offers a free "Vegetarian Starter Kit." Pages from the site include: "Breeding Out the Undesirable," "Processing Lives," and "The Final Solution." Notes the first: "Broiler" chickens are raised in vast sheds crammed with thousands of birds. Lighting is manipulated to keep the birds eating as often as possible....The genetic selection so admired by Himmler—designing birds to grow fatter faster—causes extremely painful joint and bone conditions, making any movement difficult. PETA's 1994 undercover investigation into the ‘broiler' chicken industry also revealed birds suffering from dehydration, respiratory diseases, bacterial infections, heart attacks, crippled legs, and other serious ailments" (see item #7).