What you don’t know about Free Range Turkeys this Thanksgiving Season – No
It is more humane to eat tofu, but let’s not get crazy now. The holidays just would not be the same without that bird in the center of the table surrounded by all the trimmings. Your aunt Sally, who was a Buddhist last year, and a Born Again Christian the year before that, has become a member of PETA this year. Before Sally convinces you that a free-range bird is the best bet, let’s take a closer look at what that actually means.
The Humane Society of the United Statesnotes that, “Typically, free-range hens are uncaged inside of barns or warehouses and have some degree of outdoor access, but there are no requirements for the amount, duration, or quality of outdoor access.” This statement applies to poultry given the free-range status. In addition to the fact that the bird could be outside for a total of 5 minutes a day on a gravel surface, let’s not forget that while we are addressing the “humane” aspect of free-range turkeys that beak cutting and forced molting through starvation are also permitted under the category of free-range. And let’s not even talk about what both caged and the ‘humane’ free-range operations do to male chicks (that are of no use to them for either eggs or meat because of their size) right after they are born. Not yet convinced?
Many proponents argue that free-range birds taste better. This is a tricky issue because while it stands to reason that a bird with presumably less fat from more exercise may taste better; not all free-range birds are certified organic. This is a different designation entirely that means that the bird is fed an all organic diet without the use of antibiotics or pesticides. So the idea of free-range really does not hold a lot of weight at all. It is also interesting to note that the USDA has no designated standards for free-range egg production - none. This basically means that the term ‘free-range egg’ was invented for marketing purposes and means nothing other than the assumption is that it came from a free-range bird. Because there are no standards for ‘free-range eggs’ the term is not recognized or regulated by the USDA. The Humane Society of the United States makes a statement on the homepage of their website that reads, “The truth is that the majority of egg labels have little relevance to animal welfare or, if they do, they have no official standards or any mechanism to enforce them.”
Now you are prepared for your little talk with aunt Sally this holiday season. When she talks about this imaginary ‘Make a Wish Foundation’ for turkeys that she likes to call free-range, you can break it to her gently. Also, don’t forget to remind her about the facts behind those overpriced eggs that she has been eating for breakfast all year. Wait until Easter to tell her about what they do to the male chicks in these free-range environments. But most importantly, remind her that if turkeys could eat us they would, and they wouldn’t feel bad about it.
