S.J. Mercury: Undercover video shows chicks ground up alive

[Guest guest]

Here's the complete article, from http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13245309 ,

thanks to Sujatha.

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-- Mike

 

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AP Exclusive: Undercover video shows chicks ground up alive

FREDERIC J. FROMMER

Associated Press

 

Posted: 09/01/2009 06:49:15 AM PDT

Updated: 09/01/2009 06:49:16 AM PDT

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An undercover video shot by an animal rights group at an Iowa

egg hatchery shows workers discarding unwanted chicks by sending them alive into

a grinder, and other chicks falling through a sorting machine to die on the

factory floor.

 

Chicago-based Mercy for Animals said it shot the video at Hy-Line North

America's hatchery in Spencer, Iowa, over a two-week period in May and June. The

video was obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

 

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, 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 cannot lay eggs and do not grow large quickly enough to be raised

profitably for meat. That results in the killing of 200 million male chicks a

year.

 

The United Egg Producers, a trade group for U.S. egg farmers, confirmed that

figure and the practice behind it.

 

" There is, unfortunately, no way to breed eggs that only produce female hens, "

said the group's spokesman, Mitch 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. "

 

No federal law 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.

 

Mercy for Animals says it will call on the nation's 50 largest grocery chains to

include labels on their eggs that say, " Warning: Male chicks are ground-up alive

by the egg industry. "

 

Head called that proposal " almost a joke, " saying the group had no credible

authority, and had 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.

 

Nathan Runkle, executive director 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<http://www.mercyforanimals.org/hatchery>

 

Hy-Line International: www.hyline.com/<http://www.hyline.com/>

 

 

 

Sujatha Ramakrishna [madaxecho]

Tuesday, September 01, 2009 9:02 AM

activistsforanimals

[ActivistsForAnimals] latest MFA investigation

 

 

Hi all! Love the new SCCAA website!

 

Just wanted to share this, in case anyone has time to write a letter to the

editor:

 

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13245309

 

I've been working with Mercy for Animals here in Chicago. They are a great bunch

of folks. I'll be back in SJ in Nov, maybe see some of you guys then.

 

Sujatha

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