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Loading...Bhutan Wants Happy Chickens on Happy Farms
The country that decided to measure GHN (Gross National Happiness) instead of GNP (Gross National Product) is extending that yardstick to agriculture. The whole country is going cage-free and organic.
On August 2nd Bhutan’s Minister of Agriculture and Forests officially declared the country is adopting “Battery Cage Free Poultry Farming”. Humane Society International praised the animal welfare reforms and explained:
The Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, declared that any female domesticated chicken, turkey, duck, goose, or guinea fowl kept for the purpose of egg production, including pullets, shall never be continually confined in restrictive cages that prevent them from fully stretching their limbs or expressing important natural behaviors. The order also mandates that birds shall have sufficient space to be able to perch or sit quietly without repeated disturbance.
The announcement follows a June 19th statement at Rio+20 that Bhutan intended to commit to 100 percent organic agriculture. Addressing the opening session, Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley cited four reasons for the decision:
- Protection of soil health and fertility, ground and surface water, and biodiversity
- Creation of new economic opportunities
- Strengthening of the independence, self-esteem and self-reliance of the nation’s farmers
- Strengthening of culture and rural communities
Next: Bumps on the Road to Sustainable Agriculture
Read more: animal welfare, Bhutan, cage free hens, caged chickens, organic farming, sustainable agriculture
Photo credits: Thinkstock
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+ add your ownNicole B - I agree 100% with most of what you have said, however, hens WILL lay eggs regardless of whether there is a rooster present. The only difference being that with a rooster the eggs will be fertilised and therefore able to hatch baby chicks. Unfertilised eggs (where no rooster is present) will never develop into chicks but are fine for eating.
Rachel B. says "Roosters will still be killed at birth because they can't lay eggs.
Also, organic means no veterinary care. That means that when hens begin to develop uterus issues, no visits to the vet are allowed"
False, Roosters are rarely killed upon hatching on small farms and organic farms, that is FACTORY FARMS (makes me sick), please learn the difference (and even factory farms kept one or two roosters around in a cage), most are giving away to other farms, those not given away are kept as a CHICKEN CANNOT (or will not) LAY EGGS WITHOUT A ROOSTER PRESENT. Organic does NOT mean no vet care, it means that they are not pumped full of antibiotics and steroids everyday, just when they need it, such as when they are sick and many have vet check ups once a year. Organic farms often times only have as many animals as they can handle (some are just starting out and think they can handle a lot), meaning they can watch the animals for signs of illness or problems with egg laying/birthing. And when the tissue beings to form is a very important time for chickens and many organic farmers will check with a vet to makes sure that the feed is giving them everything they need.
My Grandmother, when she was a child, was raised on a farm. They only kept the chickens confined in the chicken shed during the winter (they lived in Minnesota) or at night to help keep predators at bay. They let them roam the yard during the day during the warmer months. She says that the eggs in the stores taste differently and cook up differently. She says that even the chickens themselves taste differently when they are raised in cages.
"Happy chickens make better, and more, eggs, and tastier meals" she always say. Every animal deserves to be happy when they are alive, and chickens are happy being free-range and being left alone when they perch.
Now only if the US would follow suit on the treatment of animals. GO BHUTAN!!!
Kudos for Butan
What a cool idea!
Thanks.
good.
I wanna run away to Bhutan
Congratulations to a country who is so much more progressive in it's treatment of poultry than the United States and other supposed Civilized nations..One would hope that other countries will follow their amazing example. Good For you Bhutan!
Happier hens means more "happy" eggs, healthier hens, eggs , and people who eat the eggs.
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