McDonald’s has moved to support HSUS in their quest to do away with gestation crates. http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2012/02/mcdonalds-news.html
As a hog producer, I could tell you all of the scientific evidence. In gestation crates, sows’ feed and health can be more closely monitored. In gestation crates, “bully sows” don’t beat up on other sows. In gestation crates, “bully sows” don’t overeat, resulting in piglets too large to pass the sow’s pelvis. The question posed to the pork industry has not been “can you use gestation crates?” the question has been, “Should you?”
Science and measures of production efficiency aside, I’ll tell you this. As hog producers we don’t use gestation crates. I’ll also tell you this. We have a gilt who was a victim of bully sows so we had to move her to another pen away from other sows until her due date neared and we moved her to the farrowing barn. In our pens, we’re unable to control individual feed intake. She overate, as pigs will do. I’ll also tell you this. I spent 16 hours in our farrowing barn to try to deliver her piglets. I saved one. One. The others died and we had to administer antibiotics and hope that she would recuperate and continue milking for her one piglet. She’s since recovered but as soon as we wean her, the cycle will continue.
I won’t tell you that I’m an unfailing fan of gestation crates. I can’t because we’ve not used them. But I can tell you that if you want the scoop on hog production, ask a hog producer first.
February 13, 2012
Rachel Vermillion
7 responses to “Hogs, McDonald’s and HSUS”
gntn
February 13th, 2012 at 17:18
Perhaps the “Forks over Knives” is the answer…
Rachel Vermillion
February 14th, 2012 at 08:51
I agree that moving away from processed foods can help and McDonald’s would certainly fall into that realm. However, rejecting animal-based foods is a personal choice. As a farmer, I choose to include meat in my diet and I appreciate being able to eat what my family and other farm families raise.
tammythornton
February 14th, 2012 at 22:21
Good points Rachel. Made me wonder is putting an expectant mother on bed rest inhumane? You put her in the hospital so you can monitor contractions, and blood pressure and as a benefit can control the diet but take her away from her family and home and social network. But what really makes me sad is knowing that I can’t eat breakfast as McDonald’s anymore, I so totally love a sausage McGriddle just about the only thing I will eat there.
Once Upon an Equine
March 14th, 2012 at 06:41
Hello, I just found your blog via an image search. May I use your photo of Lucy eating with the sows (your April 5, 2011 post) on my blog? I will link back to your blog post to credit you with the photo . Your photo of your calf Lucy and the sows would go perfectly with a little poem I just wrote.
Rachel Vermillion
March 14th, 2012 at 07:49
That would be fine. Lucy would be flattered, I’m sure.
Once Upon an Equine
March 14th, 2012 at 08:10
Thank you very much! It will be posted this morning.
Weekend Cowgirl (@WeekendCowgirl)
August 14th, 2012 at 15:03
Well spoken.