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by Susan Z. Miller

Created on: November 24, 2009

It is an unfortunate truth that the term "free range" is not synonymous with "cruelty free." In recent years, availability and consumption of free range meat and eggs has grown due to rising awareness of green living and environmental concerns. As a consumer, it is very important to understand what this term actually means, and to not assume that a free range product comes from an animal that has been treated more humanely.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, more commonly known as PETA, states that every year, more than 40 million turkeys are raised and slaughtered for the holidays alone. One may find comfort in buying a free range turkey, since the idea is that the turkey has been permitted to live a more "normal" life. However, the fact of the matter is that these birds are still slaughtered for consumption, and not in a humane way. In the Washington Post Magazine article The Truth About Turkeys, author Peter Perl states, "the term free range doesn't really tell you anything about the animal's quality of life, nor does it even assure that the animal actually goes outdoors."

In reality, free range probably means that the turkey has been raised in a barn. It could even mean that it was just raised in a pen. The USDA regulates that free range poultry must have access to the outdoors every day, but does not specify a required amount of time. The term free range also only pertains to the turkey's living conditions while it is being raised before slaughter. "Free range" has nothing to do with how the turkey has been bred, or how it will be killed.

Turkeys are delivered to farms from breeders. According to the November 2009 edition of Natural Awakenings Magazine, free range turkeys often arrive from breeders already debeaked. Debeaking is a common practice in the United States. In fact, virtually all industrially raised turkeys are debeaked. This is the process of partially removing the beak with a hot blade. It is done without anesthesia when turkey chicks are newly hatched, and is a preventative measure to reduce pecking among birds in close confinement. For the same reason, declawing is common as well. Again, this is done when a turkey is newly hatched at a breeder, even before it has arrived at a free range farm.

Many individuals make the argument that free range turkeys have meat that is healthier for human consumption. Unfortunately, this debeaking practice causes this to be largely untrue. Turkeys need to be able to forage and graze to be naturally healthy. Without beaks and claws, it is nearly impossible for them to do so.

The term free range also does not mean that the birds have been slaughtered in a more humane way. Oftentimes, they are transported to slaughterhouses along with conventionally raised factory birds. During this transport, they are packed into crates, then stacked onto trucks with no protection from the cold, and no access to water. The organization Compassion Over Killing documents that at slaughterhouses, turkeys are hung upside down before their throats are slit. They are then left to bleed to death, and are oftentimes still conscious for much of this time.

So, does all of this mean that it is impossible to find a turkey that has been raised in humane conditions? No, but one does need to do some homework to find a truly cruelty-free turkey. Look for turkeys that are certified organic, and come from a sustainable farm. "Certified organic" means that the turkeys have been fed organic feed, and that they have not been given hormones or antibiotics. An example of a reputable organic and sustainable farm is the Applecheek Farm in Hyde Park, Vermont. Yes, organic meat will cost more than factory raised. But this is the only way to go if one intends to buy meat that is actually more humane.

Some organizations, such as PETA, would argue that the only way to actually be humane towards animals is to not eat them at all. For those who are willing to try a vegetarian Thanksgiving, there are a great number of options available. For some ideas, click on this recent blog from the aHa! Modern Living website. Meat-substitute products are healthy, inexpensive, and quite tasty as well. They can make a great alternative to eating turkey on Thanksgiving day.

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