New Undercover Investigations: Chickens for Eggs and Flesh II

by Stephanie Ernst

categories: Farm Animals, Investigations and Rescues, Slaughter

Published April 07, 2009 @ 01:12PM PT

The previous post, which served as an introduction to this one (so please read it if you haven't already), covered the details of a Mercy for Animals investigation at an egg farm. Now on to a March investigation and rescue by Igualdad Animal/Animal Equality at a slaughterhouse, where "broiler" chickens (chickens being raised for their flesh) and "spent" egg-laying hens meet their end. (You may recall that I featured a pig farm investigation by Igualdad Animal a few months ago as well.)

In the dark of night on March 12, "three Igualdad Animal / Animal Equality activists went into a poultry slaughterhouse as part of an ongoing investigation into slaughterhouses which the organisation is carrying out within Spain":

-Continue after the jump for the rescued birds' story and for add'l images-

Once inside, we saw three birds that were lying immobile at the side of a transportation cage, then empty, near the shackles of the 'kill line'. Although at first sight they seemed to be dead, we soon saw that one of them was making an effort to try to lift itself, and after examining another two and finding that they were also still alive, we decided to take them with us.

The birds were taken to a veterinarian to treat the multiple injuries they were suffering from. One of them, Virgil, had two wing bones protruding with compound fractures and one dislocated limb, while another, Allen, had a compound fracture of one wing and several hematomas in the other. The third, Donald, had a respiratory infection – almost certainly as a result of having to live in a shed filled with ammonia fumes from the excrement and urine of the other chickens – and in addition displayed multiple hematomas in his wing joints, again almost certainly due to the way in which he was packed into the transportation cage en route to the slaughterhouse.

Virgil was euthanised while under anesthesia for the surgery he received to try and save him. During the veterinary procedure, it was discovered that the terrible condition he was in would not allow him to live a minimum quality of life.

Donald has died due to the respiratory problems and infections that he suffered in spite of the veterinary treatment he received. He enjoyed lying on the grass under the sun, next to his companion Allen, who had endured the same life as Donald since his birth, and they leaned against each other while they rested.

Another of the chickens, who we have decided to call Allen, has been operated on. The part of the bone exposed to the air has been removed and he is now under veterinary care and recuperating. Allen is now in a suitable environment where for the first time in his life he can feel the sun on his body and can relax in peace, being looked after by his responsible vegan carers.

We regret their deaths and try to remember that Virgil was at least able to die without suffering and without anyone benefitting from his exploitation, and that Donald was able to rest and sleep peacefully under the sun during the last few days of his life.

Please see the group's news release for more. Also check out the slideshow, which does feature a couple graphic photos such as the one at the top of this post, but which also includes some gentler ones showing just how beautiful these animals are. How do we look at a face like the one below--how do we look into those eyes--and know what happens to these animals and yet still eat them or torment their bodies and minds (and still ultimately kill them) for eggs?