I got this in my email today and was appalled...

**aprilrain1024** · 09-01-2009, 03:34 PM

I found this terrible and wanted to share it because it affects a lot of stores that I know that we all shop at.

Video shows chicks ground up alive at egg hatchery

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER, Associated Press Writer Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press Writer – 2 mins ago
WASHINGTON – An animal rights group is calling on the nation's largest grocery story chains to post warnings on egg cartons that unwanted male chicks are ground up alive, after videotaping the common industry practice at an Iowa egg hatchery.

In letters sent to the companies this week, Chicago-based Mercy for Animals says its undercover videotape at Hy-Line North America's hatchery in Spencer, Iowa, "exposes one of the industry's best kept secrets — that the egg industry tears male chicks' bodies apart in grinding machines while they are still alive."

The group wants the chains to include a label on egg cartons that says, "Warning: Male chicks are ground-up alive by the egg industry." The letters were sent to 50 chains, including Walmart, Whole Foods, Safeway, Harris Teeter and Trader Joe's.

"The violence that you will see is standard and acceptable within the egg industry, and consumers have a right to know about this cruelty so that they can make informed and compassionate purchasing decisions," wrote Mercy for Animals' executive director, Nathan Runkle.

A spokesman for United Egg Producers, a trade group for U.S. egg farmers, called the proposal "almost a joke." Spokesman Mitch Head said Mercy for Animals had no credible authority, as well as questionable motives. "This is a group which espouses no egg consumption by anyone — so that is clearly their motive." The video does in fact end with a call for people to adopt a vegan diet, which eliminates all animal products — meat, eggs or dairy.

Hy-Line said in a statement it has started an investigation "of the entire situation," adding that it would have helped their investigation "had we been aware of the potential violation immediately after it occurred."

The video, shot with a hidden camera and microphone by a Mercy for Animals employee who got a job at the plant in May and June, shows a Hy-Line worker sorting through a conveyor belt of chirping chicks, flipping some of them into a chute like a poker dealer flips cards.

These chicks, which a narrator says are males, are then shown being dropped alive into a grinding machine.

In other parts of the video, a chick is shown dying on the factory floor amid a heap of egg shells after falling through a sorting machine. Another chick, also still alive, is seen lying on the floor after getting scalded by a wash cycle, according to the video narrator.

Hy-Line said the video "appears to show an inappropriate action and violation of our animal welfare policies," referring to chicks on the factory floor.

But the company also noted that "instantaneous euthanasia" — a reference to killing of male chicks by the grinder — is a standard practice supported by the animal veterinary and scientific community.

According to Mercy for Animals, male chicks are of no use to the industry because they can't lay eggs and don't grow large or quickly enough to be raised profitably for meat. That results in the killing of 200 million male chicks a year.

The United Egg Producers confirmed that figure and the practice behind it.

"There is, unfortunately, no way to breed eggs that only produce female hens," said spokesman Head. "If someone has a need for 200 million male chicks, we're happy to provide them to anyone who wants them. But we can find no market, no need."

Using a grinder, Head said, "is the most instantaneous way to euthanize chicks."

There is no federal law that ensures the humane euthanasia of animals on farms or hatcheries, according to Jonathan Lovvorn, vice president and chief counsel of the Humane Society of the United States.

Hy-Line says on its Web site that its Iowa facility produces 33.4 million chicks. Based on that figure, Mercy for Animals estimates a similar number of male chicks are killed at the facility each year. Hy-Line did not comment on that estimate.

Runkle, of Mercy for Animals, said most people would be shocked to learn that 200 million chicks are killed a year.

"Is this justifiable just for cheap eggs?" he said.

As to more humane alternatives to disposing of male chicks, Runkle said the whole system is inherently flawed.

"The entire industrial hatchery system subjects these birds to stress, fear and pain from the first day," he said.

___

On the Web:

Mercy for Animals video: www mercyforanimals org/hatchery

Hy-Line International: www hyline com

**frugalfranny** · 09-01-2009, 03:41 PM

Horrible to even read.........had to skim read it!

I would bet if we knew how much of our 'meat' that we eat were treated....both with chemicals and as a living organism.......we would all become vegetarian instantly.

The problem with some of these groups.....PETA.....is that they are so radical. I totally disagree with destroying labs and property...and quit donating to them.

I like the undercover reporting........

**ml2620** · 09-01-2009, 03:44 PM

It is awful, but you've obviously never lived with roosters.

**jlaporte** · 09-01-2009, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Horrible to even read.........had to skim read it!

I would bet if we knew how much of our 'meat' that we eat were treated....both with chemicals and as a living organism.......we would all become vegetarian instantly.

The problem with some of these groups.....PETA.....is that they are so radical. I totally disagree with destroying labs and property...and quit donating to them.

I like the undercover reporting........

i have to agree peta really sucks. ive had my dealings with them when i worked for kfc. mind u now kfc just bought chicken never raised it but ppl still protested. peta even thought it was great to advertize to kids and send them nasty trading cards! im appolled by them and how they r so cruel to ppl. look life isnt fair and alot of these things shouldnt hapen to any person or animal but trust me peta lies and exagerates so much u cant believe them. they do target these things to kids. well thats my rant. but my thing is why kill the chicks hell feed em fatten em and sell em off like chickens wtf now adays we need all we can get and it wouldnt go to waist. ugh life i swear some pple r nuts.

**Rebookie** · 09-01-2009, 10:06 PM

I appreciate you putting this... I wished you would've put a warning or something on this before I "started" reading it... I am very sensitive and this was too much. =(

I am also angered with you.

**Palooka** · 09-02-2009, 12:23 AM

Happy and proud to be a veg head.

Not a PETA fan but I do agree with how they deal with KFC.

**dogwalker79** · 09-02-2009, 12:44 AM

Oh, that is so sad.

It is hard to learn what goes on in the food industry and still have an appetite.

**Palooka** · 09-02-2009, 01:00 AM

Warning, not for the weak or sensative person. I just wanted to share this again.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIjanhKqVC4"]YouTube- Meet your Meat[/ame]

**Palooka** · 09-02-2009, 01:03 AM

KFC. The warning is the same. I will shut up now.

[nomedia]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFgbHK6yP2g&feature=related[/nomedia]

**Jeanna** · 09-02-2009, 09:19 AM

This is awful. But unfortunately when we turned our food production over to "business" people we have to realize they are only concerned with the bottom line. I hate Monsanto but they control just about everything that is grown anymore. I do have my own chickens for eggs and I have 23 chickens I am growing to put in the freezer. We also grow our own beef and part of our own food. Anyway this is awful and we should be upset.