Investigators from the Ohio animal rights organization
Mercy For Animals (MFA) have released
the findings of a month-long investigation into animal mistreatment at Buckeye
Egg Farm and Daylay Egg Farm, Ohio’s two largest egg producers.
MFA’s investigation at Buckeye’s facility in La Rue and
Daylay’s facility in Raymond began after the organization’s requests for tours
of the facilities were ignored. Both Buckeye Egg Farm and Daylay Egg Farm
confine millions of hens in tiny "battery cages" (long rows of wire cages
holding an average of eight birds per cage).
At both facilities investigated, MFA discovered severe
overcrowding and confinement,
hens
trapped in the wire of
their cages, and
dead birds left
to slowly rot next to their cage mates. At Daylay, a live hen was found thrown
in a dumpster filled with trash and hundreds of dead birds.
The investigation uncovered countless
sick and injured hens suffering
from raging eye and sinus infections, mechanical feather damage,
pasteurellae, paralysis, vitamin deficiency, vent
peritonitis, hernias, wing hematomas, and blindness.
Professor of Poultry Ethology at the University of Guelph, Ian J.H. Duncan,
viewed footage taken at both Buckeye and Daylay and stated:
"(T)his videotape
depicts some of the worst cruelty that I have ever witnessed." Veterinarian
Eric Dunayer, VMD, stated: "(T)he videotape shows hens subjected to extremely
inhumane conditions that inflict severe deprivation and injury. I have no doubt
that these hens suffer terribly under such conditions."
During repeated nighttime visits documenting abuses at the facilities,
investigators provided aid to sick and injured hens. MFA
rescued 34 hens in dire need of
veterinary care. All of the surviving hens are now living at a farm
sanctuary. They are recovering miraculously. Their scars are healing and their
white feathers are returning. The girls will be able to live out the rest of
their lives in a natural environment where they are able to walk around freely,
dust bathe, perch, and socialize with their new friends. They are the few lucky
ones, free of the torture and suffering of battery cages.
The cruel conditions uncovered at Buckeye Egg Farm and Daylay Egg Farm are
not isolated incidents. Sadly, similar abuses run rampant on factory farms
across the country. The abuses stem from a system in which living, feeling
animals are regarded as mere property, commodities to be exploited for every
last penny. The most important thing you can do to end animal suffering is
to stop eating eggs and other animal products. Please, for the animals,
go vegan!
The details of the investigation and rescue can be found on the newly
launched MFA web site,
www.EggCruelty.com
Mercy
For Animals has produced a 25 minute video expose on the investigation and
rescue. Order information is at EggCruelty.com.
