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Chicken was once a very inexpensive meat to buy for a nutritious family meal. When the health "gurus" and physicians began blaming the consumption of red meat on everything from heart disease to brain aneurysms; chicken meat became the darling of the health conscious consumer.

The increase in demand for chicken made it a hot commodity and chicken ranchers were forced to increase the flock sizes, and speed up the meat production. This led to poor, crowded conditions for the chickens, and feed supplies with additives, growth hormones and antibiotics. The farmers could then prevent diseases due to over crowded conditions and, fatten the chickens much faster for market.

When society first became aware of the cruelty these poor creatures had to endure; in cages so small the hens could not even turn around, we became outraged. This was an unacceptable method of farming any animal.

There came a call to end this practice and return to more traditional methods, we now call this "free range ". I have practiced this method of raising my hens and I have come to understand, they are very social creatures.

To raise farm animals in a clean, outdoor environment will ultimately bring a healthier product to the consumer. The average consumer when confronted with evidence of inhumane treatment of animals, will naturally want more information. They may also learn that, there are many environmental issues we need to confront. We will learn more about the life around us and, that we may raise animals for food purposes, while providing the best possible environment for them to thrive in.

While raising chickens "free range" style, I learned a lot. The term "pecking order" came about because chicken flocks really do display this behavior. There is an alpha female(the leader)and she is the boss.
The flock will follow the alpha female as they search the grounds for insects, worms and mealy bugs; if she senses danger and flees, the flock follows. The rooster keeps the hens in order, he is very watchful; if he finds food he will call to them.
The rooster will pick up food in his beak, and offer it to a hen, instead of eating it himself. The rooster will not let the hens wander off too far. If one does, the rooster will round her up(so to speak), stand in front of her, and use his wings to force her in the right direction.
It is quite comical to watch, and brings about an understanding of the natural order of things. Mother nature knows what she is doing; we could learn a thing or two from her. Many people do not know that hens love to bathe, in the sand. They will dig with their feet, a shallow hole in the dirt, then, they will nestle down and begin kicking the dirt up, coating their feathers with the dust. After the sand bath they get up and shake furiously, flapping their wings and shaking their tails. Hens usually bathe in groups each with their own hole.

I believe the movement to free range chickens will also help encourage more humane ways of raising many other farm animals. Very young calves or veal, as consumers call them, are treated very badly. They are locked in a stall away from their mothers, unable to bond or socialize with others. The farmers want the most tender veal meat and so the calves cannot move or turn around and risk being bruised.

Environmental awareness of these issues, brought to light by concerned citizens, Humane Society's and groups like PETA; will eventually force farmers to incorporate more traditional methods of raising animals for food. Society can change inhumane methods by speaking out, and, by not buying anything raised under cruel circumstances.

The more we understand our environment, the more responsible our behavior towards it will be, we have only, one World!

Learn more about this author, Sandra Lynn.
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