What do vegetarians/ vegans and the like think about free range stuff - chicken, eggs, etc

Question

What do vegetarians/ vegans and the like think about free range stuff - chicken, eggs, etc

Answer 1

Firstly, it is a label I do not trust. "Free range" often just means one big cage instead of many little ones.

Secondly, even if free range animals truely are treated more "humane"... this still does not excuse their treatment purely as property, as a means to an end, rather than individual sentient beings.

While in some cases "free range" may be better than "factory farmed" this does not mean that I will ever actively campaign for, or support, free range industries (that's right industries: unproductive animals (i.e. old/"spent") are still killed in free range farms).

To use Gary Francione's example: sure, it is better if a rapist does not beat his victim... but that does not mean we should compaign for "non-violent" rape!!!

Humane slavery is still slavery.

Answer 2

It's definitely a step in the right direction, but I avoid chicken because I don't want something to die just to satisfy my selfish palate.  It's a vile idea to me.  That's why I wouldn't buy either of them.  

However, my Significant Other eats chicken and eggs, and I always encourage him to buy the least-cruel option he can find - free range eggs and chicken.

Answer 3

Ice-P, let me introduce you to the term "greenwashing."  Basically, greenwashing means that the free-range claims are a bunch of hooey, that so-called free-range animal aren't treated much better than conventionally raised animals.  And they are still killed in the end.  Free-range hens and cows, who are kept for their eggs and milk, are still killed when production declines.  And it doesn't matter how well the animals are treated if they are still killed in the end.

It's why the term "humane" ticks me off.  There's no such thing as humane meat; it's only meat that has been produced less cruelly.

Answer 4

They probably think 'oh look there's a free-range chicken' and move on to the corn section of the supermarket.

Answer 5

Are free-range eggs and dairy products OK to eat?

Most consumers believe "free-range" hens and cows live happily and peacefully until they are slaughtered. But no laws or standards regulate the use of terms like "free-range" and "free-roaming." In fact, common cruel industry practices used in factory farms, such as debeaking, forced molting, and literally throwing away male chicks at birth, also take place at many "free-range" farms. Of course, all the animals are slaughtered whenever it is deemed most profitable.

From the "free-range" hen who smells fresh air for the first time on the way to the slaughterhouse to the "humanely raised" dairy cow whose male baby is taken away from her at birth and sold to veal farmers, all animals raised for food suffer and are exploited. Even small, family-run dairy farms often have no choice but to send their older cows to slaughter and their newborn males to veal farms. For these reasons, we believe the only humane option is to refrain from eating eggs, milk, and meat. It's better for your health, the environment, and animals, and it's far easier to do than you may think! Click here for more info.

Answer 6

I don't trust it, and "free range" or not, they're still killed for their flesh.

Answer 7

hey m a vegen...........

u may b anythin but dont u feel pity for killin those prety things.......i donknw who the h**l gave u people th rights to play on othrs life..........i think it is bcuse we think we are the best in this wrld..........and knw one can harm us right...........bt rembr evrthin is bein watched.....by a SUPERIOR n no one can escape frm his eyes........

Answer 8

First of all, if chicken was really "free range", they'd be living in the wild! I don't think it's any better than factory farming because in the end, the animals still get killed for one purpose, human consumption.

Regardless of how good a life they had before they become someones meal, knowing that they are going to face their death will be in their minds before they die - not what colour the grass was on their "fresh green land".