Will Butterball’s Thanksgiving Turkeys REALLY Be Humane?

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/will-butterballs-thanksgiving-turkeys-really-be-humane.html

Alex A. Kecskes October 6, 2014 3:00 pm



Giant turkey producer Butterball (they produce one billion pounds of turkey every year) is going humane — or so they say. By this Thanksgiving, all of its products will bear the American Humane Association’s (AHA) certified label. But as always, the devil’s in the details.

Misleading Label

Earning AHA’s certified label supposedly elevates turkey production to a higher, more humane standard. It places limits on the number of turkeys one can house per square foot, the ammonia level from manure storage in the buildings and common industry practices like beak and toe trimming. Producers must also provide enough food and clean water and ensure that the turkeys are free from pain and unnecessary stress.

AHA Standards … Not That Different from Normal Industry Standards

The little-known catch is that producers don’t need to meet all of these requirements to be certified. The Humane Society’s VP, Paul Shapiro noted that the industry-friendly AHA standard essentially mirrors what the industry is already doing, This includes confining birds inside, with a stocking density requirement that’s “very close” to the current industry standard. AHA rules “encourage” but don’t require producers to provide “enrichment” — the animal-welfare code-speak allowing turkeys to enjoy natural behaviors.

Beak Trimming: Not Banned

The nasty practice of beak trimming is not banned, simply limited. Producers may still burn off the beaks of their turkeys to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism, which usually occurs when birds are confined and idle. Beak trimming involves the removal of 1/3 to 1/2 of the beak. In some cases, the birds are often roughly handled, grabbed by the head, neck, tail or wing, as operators shove the birds’ faces up against and into the de-beaking machinery. The birds are then violently yanked away from these machines and tossed into containers, resulting in broken bones, torn and twisted beaks.

Toe Trimming: Not Banned

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/will-butterballs-thanksgiving-turkeys-really-be-humane.html#ixzz3FUjRUAFa

FULL story at link.

[IVoteDFL]

1. I'm so disappointed about the AHA certificate

I'm about 90% vegan, still making the transition and was under the impression that the AHA label actually meant something as I've still been buying Phil's brand eggs that carry this label. Funny thing, I stopped eating meat after spending the summer across the road from a turkey barn.

[Little Star]

2. We've got three or so wild ones running through our yard....

and were joking about saving some money.

[scarystuffyo]

6. Wild turkeys taste just as good if not better

The only thing that can be tough on them is the drumsticks because they actually use their muscles
unlike turkeys that are raised on farms.

I hunt a turkey every year for Thanksgiving

[Luminous Animal]

21. One way to make wild turkey drum sticks easier to eat is to...

cut the ends of before roasting. As the turkey roasts, the meat and skin with retract a bit from the cut end and expose the ligaments. When the turkey is done, take a pair of needle nose pliers and pull the ligaments out.

I ate a lot of wild turkey while growing up. Now I eat Diestel pasture raised organic heirloom.
http://diestelturkey.com/diestel-products/the-diestel-family-of-turkeys/

They are the only turkey ranch that has attained a GAP 5+ rating and they are delicious (and yes, expensive).

Global Animal Partnership 5 step program:
Step 1 prohibits cages and crates.
Step 2 requires environmental enrichment for indoor production systems;
Step 3, outdoor access;
Step 4, pasture-based production;
Step 5, an animal-centered approach with all physical alterations prohibited; and, finally,
Step 5+, that the entire life of the animal be spent on an integrated farm.

[scarystuffyo]

26. I mostly just target younger birds , younger hens and jakes for eating

I've shot my share of old Toms but the younger birds meat is always better tasting .

Same thing with deer , I leave the big racks for the trophy hunters. I would rather have table fare that tastes good.


Thanks for the tip on that

[yeoman6987]

3. I don't know what brand of Turkey I am getting

This year. It is still almost 2 months away. Lets enjoy October.

[cali]

5. I know it's early and I don't know where you are

but these are delicious turkeys.

http://www.mistyknollfarms.com/

[scarystuffyo]

9. This is what they call free range there

[cali]

11. not so. I've been there.

[scarystuffyo]

15. This is the place , what time of year did you go there?

http://www.vtfoodatlas.com/story/detail/3





http://www.vtfoodatlas.com/story/detail/3


At their 412-acre farm, located on the sites of two former dairy operations, there are barns that house tens of thousands of chickens and turkeys—Rob and John decide exactly what those birds are fed and how they’re housed. There’s an on-site slaughter facility staffed by a USDA inspector and a series of rooms where 18 employees (a mix of local residents and Jamaicans with H2A guest worker permits) transform whole birds into parts—Rob and John oversee these parts of the operation, too. They also decide how much to charge for their poultry and where to sell

You notice on their website they don't post pics of the free ranging turkeys. This is why.

[cali]

19. the chickens are housed. the turkey are not. I was there in summer.

[scarystuffyo]

22. Then why did you say the picture wasn't true? They are crammed in pens like the pics I posted

of the farm. There's nothing nice about how the birds are treated.

I'm just letting members know that free range is a gimmick term that
chicken and turkey farms like to use.

It's just birds crammed together in pens...nothing more

[scarystuffyo]

16. People have a picture in their mind of what free range means

Turkeys running in fields having a grand old time.

Free range poultry is just birds crammed together in pens .....no cages....that's all it is

I know what I'm talking about

[uppityperson]

23. It depends on the farmer. It can be crammed in pens or running around a field.

Buying local, knowing who you get it from, that helps. But indeed, "free range" can mean just not caged. Rather like "fertile ggs" can mean access to a rooster, who is ancient and along with 30 other hens, or a well managed flock with hen:rooster ratio resulting in fertile eggs that can hatch.

Both can be better than caged, but there can be a wide range of what it means.

[scarystuffyo]

24. I never saw a commercial poultry farm where turkeys are left to run in fields

They are kept in pens

For one thing predators would have a field day

[uppityperson]

25. I have but they had only 80 birds.

[yeoman6987]

10. Thank you!

I just called them to see if they can mail one. But they don't. However the person on th phone was the nicest ever. I told her your company came highly recommended and she was so tickled and appreciative. So nice and I thank you for giving me a nice moment. It was needed as I am not feeling to great today.

[cali]

12. oh, I'm so glad. sorry you're not feeling up to par.

I'm big on Vermont products and people here are so very nice.

[yeoman6987]

14. Yes they are

I am going to make an effort to see about buying Vermont products. I do a ton of on line buying.

[Botany]

20. Lots of places for free range turkeys in the VA & MD area

http://www.dcfoodies.com/farm-fresh-thankgiving-turkeys-in-dc-maryland-and-virginia.html

[Botany]

13. We always get a free range turkey ..... Bowman & Landes

For the life of me I don't know why anybody would get a frozen turkey if they
can get a fresh one.

[leftstreet]

4. Is it that time again?

[HuckleB]

7. That article is filled with odd generalities that don't actually give much information.

That always sets off alarm bells for me. Something is not right with the journalism. Once that is corrected, though I doubt it will be, then there's a discussion that could begin. Until then... Yikes!

[Egnever]

8. I find the idea that there is a humane way to kill something

somewhat strange.

[upaloopa]

17. I would think that if you really cared you would

not eat them but I know that I would be wrong. No one really gives a shit enough to do anything but cry virtual tears. "Like" if you agree with treating turkeys well.

[SomethingFishy]

18. I know they'll be expensive...

I try to get local...

[Historic NY]

27. I've got 2 in the last several years at my chain grocer...

they buy cooperative and I scored fresh ones from a smaller family run farm. I'm looking for them again.