How common are dairy farms and hatcheries where animals do not end up being killed?!
By "end up being killed," I mean killed at birth (male chicks, bull calves), sent for veal slaughter, or shot when no longer lactating.
I imagine this is only the case on small, independent farms. However, I have noticed a lot of farms and sanctuaries for "rescued" farm animals.
Answers: I know that this is so for some religious communities, and also of a no. of US companies, but what about in the UK/Europe?
By "end up being killed," I mean killed at birth (male chicks, bull calves), sent for veal slaughter, or shot when no longer lactating.
I imagine this is only the case on small, independent farms. However, I have noticed a lot of farms and sanctuaries for "rescued" farm animals.
You will probably never find a place that breeds animals for food but doesn't get rid of the unnecessary waste (i.e. male chicks being killed, male calves going into veal production.) It's not cost effective & there's no space for the ever-growing population of animals. If you find farm sanctuaries, they aren't going to breed animals. They're too busy rescuing the overabundance that already exists.
If you want kinder (but obviously not cruelty free) farms, find a local one at http://www.eatwellguide.org. I don't feel the need to eat animals, but my carnivorous pets do, so I try to mesh that with my beliefs as well as I can and get their food from a local certified humanely raised & handled, pasture-raising farm.
farms are for profit..i know this doesn't sit well with the do-gooders but the bottom line is what matters...small farm big farm, animals are profit. my buddy has a small beef herd, names all the cows, scratches 'em behind the ears every day, and ships on slaughter day when the price per pound is at its highest...
They don't exist. Even the small farms can't waste resources on useless animals.