posted on January 12, 2003 12:15:40 PM new
Oh, I know, what with the Bush Administration's tireless efforts to create a totalitarian state through economic disparity and dissolution, through loss of the Bill of Rights' protections and democratic traditions, through the rapid expansion of bureaucracy, through the removal of the most basic environmental protections and controls, through subversion of the judicial branch with the consistent appointment of righterwinger extremists, through buying political support from fundamentalists with faith-based rewards from federal monies, and through propagandistic warmongering in pursuit of imperialistic illusions-- to name a few of the most obvious-- you may have overlooked another major social issue which has been brewing in the background and finally boiled over, as explained in the article from the NYT posted below. Since the subject has figured predominantly in AW's past discourse, it seems appropriate to post this latest development in chicken analysis here; it evokes many troubling questions.
If Chickens Are So Smart, Why Aren't They Eating Us?
By WILLIAM GRIMES
The wrath of PETA, the animal rights group, has now been turned on KFC, the fried-chicken chain. After two years of failed negotiations aimed at forcing KFC to introduce more humane practices into the raising and slaughtering of chickens, PETA announced last week that it would start a worldwide "Kentucky Fried Cruelty" campaign, distributing posters, stickers and leaflets that feature a cartoon Colonel Sanders grinning wickedly as he slices open a live bird.
PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, wants KFC, among other things, to kill its chickens using gas rather than slitting their throats, to increase their living space and to provide perches and shelters for the birds. "KFC has shortchanged the chickens, leaving us no choice but to turn up the heat," said Bruce Friedrich, PETA's director of vegan outreach. "McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's responded to consumer pressure; KFC would do well to follow their lead." YUM Brands, the parent company of KFC, insisted that its animal welfare program had brought about improvements in the way its suppliers raised and killed their chickens.
One claim in the PETA campaign is sure to catch the attention of anyone who has ever had close dealings with a chicken. "Chickens are inquisitive and interesting animals," the campaign's press release begins, "and are thought to be at least as intelligent as dogs or cats."
Chickens, with or without the 11 secret herbs and spices, may have splendid qualities, but not many people would put intelligence high on the list. My own experience, a brief but intense relationship with a large Black Australorp that took up residence one day in my backyard in Astoria, Queens, inclines me to take a sunny view of chickens. My hen, whose activities I chronicled in "My Fine Feathered Friend," impressed me as a self-starter, go-getter, early riser, eternal optimist and all-around good sport. She had a certain wily intelligence, always managing to keep me at arm's length without actually breaking into a full, panic-stricken run.
She also seemed to have a sense of fun, as well as a dark (dare I say brooding?) side. In a playful mood, she would sneak up on the most nervous cat in the yard and cackle unexpectedly, propelling the victim into a three-foot vertical leap. A chicken cannot rub its hands together in glee, but this one gave every sign of wanting to. At other times I would catch it staring at the glass of my basement window, pondering who knows what. Staring open-mouthed does not count as genius, I decided.
"I've spent all my life around chickens, and I've seen no instance of anything I'd call intelligence," said Edwin Jemison, who sells chemicals for the Jones-Hamilton Company to chicken producers. "All a chicken wants is to be the same every day, to eat his fill and be comfortable. I think that's a sign of low intelligence." Mr. Jemison did admit that the domestic turkey is probably the gold standard for stupidity. While chickens can survive a rainstorm outside, turkeys will look skyward and drown as their throats fill with water.
Scientists take a brighter view of the chicken. Chris Evans, who studies animal behavior and communication at Macquarie University in Australia, rejects the usefulness of cross-species comparisons, and indeed, of intelligence as a useful concept when dealing with animals. But he can make a strong case for the chicken as a bird deserving respect. Chickens exist in stable social groups. They can recognize each other by their facial features. They have 24 distinct cries that communicate a wealth of information to one other, including separate alarm calls depending on whether a predator is traveling by land or sea. They are good at solving problems. "As a trick at conferences I sometimes list these attributes, without mentioning chickens, and people thing I'm talking about monkeys," Mr. Evans said.
Perhaps most persuasive is the chicken's intriguing ability to understand that an object, when taken away and hidden, nevertheless continues to exist. This is beyond the capacity of small children. Even so, Mr. Evans conceded, "I don't think an argument based on chicken intelligence is going to go anywhere."
Mr. Friedrich of PETA insists that social relations among chickens are more developed than those among cats, and nearly as developed as those among dogs. "When Jesus was looking for a way to express God's love for man, he used the example of a hen's love for her brood," he said.
Still, the Mensa chicken might be a hard sell. Sam Rudy, a Broadway press agent who grew up collecting eggs on the family farm in Pennsylvania, grants that chickens have an undeniable craftiness. But after years spent in daily struggle with hens who pecked his hands, he remains skeptical about the brain of the average chicken. "I don't think there's a Rhodes scholar among them," he said.
posted on January 12, 2003 12:33:27 PM new
Hi Antiquary!
Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't need groups like PETA and people already knew that it's unethical to treat any living thing with cruelty? Makes you wonder how many animals have sacrificed their lives so we could have lunch.
posted on January 12, 2003 04:33:05 PM new
Chickens!....Now while on the subject,.Chickens dont taste like chickens,a slight hint,but nothing more.Same is with eggs,water down version being sold.
Maybe my taste buds are gone,I remember when the yolk of an egg was golden,Now it is almost a hint of yellow.
What Im trying to say,where do I take my complaints?..
posted on January 12, 2003 04:38:51 PM new" Since the subject has figured predominantly in AW's past discourse, it seems appropriate to post this latest development in chicken analysis here; it evokes many troubling questions.
Maybe you'll find an answer in these old chicken threads, junquemama. lol!
The fact that we are bright enough to round our prey up, pen it, and get it to reproduce to make accessing a tasty meal more convenient speaks highly of us as a species.
Creatures eat creatures, it's the way of the world. Whether the creatures you eat have blood or sap, hair or leaves is of no consequence to anything. I promise a carrot's desire to live and reproduce is just as strong as a chicken's.
Eat what you want and ignore the food loonies. You WILL die someday and YOU will be eaten thereby repaying the favor.
posted on January 12, 2003 06:24:00 PM new
"The fact that we are bright enough to round our prey up, pen it, and get it to reproduce to make accessing a tasty meal more convenient speaks highly of us as a species."
Ants herd aphids, chimpanzees know how to use a hollow reed inserted into a termite mound to get the little tasties to crawl out, ravens drop nuts into busy streets and wait for cars to come along and crack them...there's really nothing terribly unusual about our ability to manage food, except for maybe the grisly lengths to which we go...
I have know doubt that a carrot's will to survive is as strong as our own, and for that, it deserves respect and to be treated well before it is harvested. The same goes for any species we use as food.
Debating whether chickens are "intelligent" is silly. They are what they are, and deserve our respect for the sustenance they provide us.
junquemama: we have 20 hens and too many roosters (it's going to be enchilada filling time soon!) and you are absolutely right about store bought chicken and eggs...Yecchh...my family won't touch either...store bought eggs can be almost 2 months old when they reach the shelves, and it's a widely practiced technique by the egg distributors to repackage the ones that come back from the stores each week unsold...you'd think after all that time they'd have SOME flavor!!... commercial broiler\fryer chickens are only about 6 weeks old at slaughter, any older and they get bigger and require more than the recommended 1 SQUARE FOOT of floor space in the brood barn!...no wonder modern chicken meat is flaccid and watery.
The PETA people are a bunch of nuts who would have us all eating tofu cheese and wearing plastic shoes...but sometimes the nuts are the only ones willing to bring ugly situations to light...
posted on January 12, 2003 07:34:30 PM new
Thanks Prof.I was hopeing there were some normal chickens out there....You can't buy farm fresh eggs anymore...I tried.
I had some scrambled duck eggs one time,Talk about eggs, that taste like eggs.They were good.
posted on January 13, 2003 05:48:28 AM new
duck eggs are great for baking, because they have a greater yolk to white ratio, so whatever you bake comes out really moist.We like goose eggs too..
posted on January 13, 2003 06:30:48 AM new The PETA people are a bunch of nuts who would have us all eating tofu cheese and wearing plastic shoes...but sometimes the nuts are the only ones willing to bring ugly situations to light...
I, for one, wonder what will happen to all the poor tofus if PETA were to get their way.
.................................................
We call them our heroes...but we pay them like chumps
posted on January 13, 2003 02:18:12 PM new
It's just a different opinion Linda. If people want cheap prices on meat, then they'll have to put up with the animals they're eating being stressed out and sickly because of terrible living conditions. These animals are chock full of growth hormones, antibiotics, vaccines, pesticides, etc., all geared to a quick turn-over. When an animal is stressed, it produces vast amounts of a stress hormone which stays in the muscle after it's slaughtered. What effects that might have on humans is being studied.
Sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your thread Antiquary. It is pretty funny but I had to say my part for the animals... you know what I mean.
posted on January 13, 2003 05:51:43 PM newSorry, I didn't mean to ruin your thread Antiquary.It is pretty funny but I had to say my part for the animals... you know what I mean.
I have no ownership to threads, KD. Besides I prefer threads that are either humorous with a serious undertone or serious with a humorous undertone, though a few don't lend themselves to that approach. And your statement below was priceless:
I hope God is a chicken. A black, female chicken!
A more plausible concept of God than that of the whacked-out Fundies.
Some of PETA's views are a bit extreme for me to take seriously, but the organization does effect some good results. Any actions which might lead to safer and more palatable food, in this case chicken, would definitely be a plus.
Great links, Helen. You've become expert, like Irene, in locating information from AW's archives. I think that the archived threads which can still be accessed only go back to sometime in 2000. Some great old threads back there somewhere, in addition to those which you provided.
posted on January 13, 2003 08:07:17 PM new
Antiquary,
I love that comment by Kraftdinner too...One of the best that I have read in a long time!
Those old threads are fun to read...and as you mentioned, many with a bit of humour along with a serious topic or vice versa. It's not the topic but the witty posters who make the difference in the success of any thread. Topics as simple as lint or bubblewrap can become really funny with an intelligent group.
Tomorrow, I have some book shelves to assemble so I'll be a carpenter next time you see me around here.
posted on January 14, 2003 10:43:04 AM new
Good luck with the book shelf project; I'm sure that you'll do a fine job. Speaking of books, the chicken article piqued my interest in Fast Food Nation, which was in a box of Christmas books I've been gradually emptying, so I began it last night. Fascinating reading so far.
posted on January 14, 2003 11:47:59 AM new
I have already read Fast Food Nation. It is a good eye-opening read. Food Corporations aren't the innocent little victims they portray themselves to be.
.................................................
We call them our heroes...but we pay them like chumps
posted on January 23, 2003 12:14:44 PM new
Everyone should read this book. It's well-researched, well-documented, but also very easy to follow because of the skillful writing and high interest level. Beyond just an examination of the fast food industries themselves, more importantly it presents a vivid picture of who we are as a nation today.
