Over 25 million egg-laying chickens are raised in intensive factory farming in California. These birds live in overcrowded cages for 18 to 20 months before being slaughtered for meat. In March 2004 East Bay Animal Advocates, a Californian based animal rights group, conducted an animal rescue at Freitas Fresh Eggs in Newman, California. Over 125,000 hens were housed at the farm with seven hens were kept to one undersized cage. The conditions that the egg-laying hens were found to inhabit clearly violate Section 597t of the California State Penal Code, which requires that confined animals have adequate exercise space. However, at Freitas, hens could not spread their wings, lie down comfortably, or dust bathe. The East Bay Animal Advocates' Animal Bureau of Investigations team managed to save five hens from these unnatural and cruel conditions. The rescued birds suffered from several health problems including substantial feather-loss, bloody fecal samples and lameness. Since being rescued, the five hens have been relocated to a private sanctuary where they are free to live out their lives naturally without the threat of slaughter. In most cases the group will not publish the name of the farm it has investigated, as it believes that the broader message is to call attention to the wide spread farm animal abuse and not to hold only one farm accountable. In this instance, however, the group was particularly angered by its findings. A letter was faxed to Merced County Animal Control citing animal cruelty laws and the farm’s name was posted on the groups Web site beneath disturbing photos taken at the farm. The rescue generated media coverage including KGO-ABC Channel 7 in the San Francisco Bay Area (April 9, 2004). Freitas Fresh Eggs investigation footage available at www.eastbayanimaladvocates.org. Click on any photo for larger version To receive future rescue notifications enter your e-mail address below.
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