Why don't vegans eat backyard eggs?

[@ed.winters]

I get this question a lot so I hope this one is super helpful for you all! :) Make the switch to vegan & get all of the support you need: switchtovegan.co.uk Become a supporter of my activism here (thank you!): www.earthlinged.org/support FREE 122 page e-book: www.earthlinged.org/ebook

[@ryanhall8770]

Vitamin d3 video? I’m not sure how it’s cruel to shear a sheep. Could you do a video on that? Love the work that you do!

[@syeda_jessica]

Please make a video on the argument that Humans Are Omnivores. This is an argument that I can't challenge as a vegan

[@barco111]

@@syeda_jessica just look at the essential features between us and omnis literally only one thing in common...a simple stomach but we have lower stomach capacity and have more alkaline ph

[@barco111]

@David McCarthy learn how to debate

[@barco111]

@David McCarthy I have been very self critical that's why I don't eat meat..because we literally have no need for it

[@ShermanKyle]

I am REALLY liking this series of “Why don’t vegans consume [insert possible loophole/less bad animal product]?” Keep them up, these are so well done and insightful; doesn’t leave much room for my friends/family who are on the fence when I send them these.

[@postnubilaphoebus96]

Where is your evidence, internet warrior? Please cite a peer-reviewed study. If you cannot provide evidence, you are wrong.

[@goaway7421]

@PC LOAD LETTER You're the one that brought it up. Why don't you back up your claim?

[@barco111]

@PC LOAD LETTER u know nothing of nutrition

[@barco111]

@PC LOAD LETTER Phytic acid is a good example of a nutrient that is both good and bad, depending on the circumstances. For most people, it's a healthy plant compound. Not only is phytic acid an antioxidant, it may also be protective against kidney stones and cancer

[@barco111]

@PC LOAD LETTER and fatty liver is causes mostly by highly fatty foods especially saturated fats

[@wowowowzzz]

I bought some hens to produce eggs for me when I still vegetarian. The chickens turned me vegan. They have so much personality and individuality, and taking their eggs definitely upset them.

[@-postapokalypso-7289]

I cant say that I have ever seen my chickens be upset over that and I watch them like a hawk, im a real helicopter chicken mom, but then again, I always leave one egg for them, because they love to lay in places where there are eggs already

[@maddogsenglishmen8020]

Any vegan farmer has to kill animals to grow vegetables. Otherwise all their vegetables would get eaten. No such thing as cruelty free food

[@oftin_wong]

They can turn to eating their own eggs ... It's a difficult habit to break if you leave the eggs around to get broken it starts that way

[@oftin_wong]

@AIuzky why don't we accept that a chicken is going to be upset sometimes and move forward

[@oftin_wong]

@AIuzky I'm not bothered about the upsetted- ness .of it all .. Chicken freak out about anything and everything they only live on average 5 years or so

[@nixequestrian3721]

A stray duck turned up one day & after a few months I decided to see if I could use clicker training to allow me to get close to her so I could check her over (she had a bad limp), in just two weeks she went from feral & avoiding humans altogether to waddling as fast as her little legs could carry her towards me whenever she saw me. She had a great personality, loved interacting & playing, so quickly became my duck dog, following me around everywhere- the neighbours always commented on how dog like she was- esp as I taught her to heel, lie down, fetch etc. She was always 100% free to leave whenever she wanted to, had unlimited access to food & hung out with the wild ducks when I wasn't around, so hanging out with me & playing was entirely up to her. She taught me that we don't give the less 'cute & cuddly' animals nearly as much credit as we should.

[@ihatehiphopcultureandsosho6317]

Ducks are very cuddly, especially if they imprint on you when they are born.

[@theshumsshowforfun2.051]

Vegans are against farming eggs no matter how moral or ethical it is and they would deem it as commodification but what about other similar problems like forced male circumcision done without any medical reasoning. Most people do it for cosmetic purposes and never medical reasons (such as cancer) and its easier to clean the prepuce and avoid getting diseases in the first place. People would circumcise so they could profit the prepuce for other things like beauty and other products. And what’s the difference between circumcising a non consenting male infant compared to performing castration on livestock (cutting tails, tagging) both are done without anesthesia

[@nixequestrian3721]

@@theshumsshowforfun2.051 ... Your post has no context to mine- I think you've posted your reply to the wrong person.

[@theshumsshowforfun2.051]

@@nixequestrian3721 But seriously. From all issues that we are facing and eating eggs are vegans biggest complaint? Yeah the egg industry is harsh but what about those who eat backyard eggs who give their chickens the best treatment possible. Why don’t you vegans go protest at a russian embassy and protest their to stop the war in ukraine while i enjoy my nutrition from an harvested egg from a chicken who is taken cared of well

[@nixequestrian3721]

@@theshumsshowforfun2.051 You are tagging & posting your responses to the wrong comment. Your comments have no relevance to my comment.

[@elDreddnaught]

I keep back yard hens on my allotment, they are all rescues. Most have stopped laying as they are all about 3 years old but I'll never kill them off. They are my pets and the occasional egg is a bonus. Also the fertiliser they provide make my fruit and veg grow brilliantly, they also help me out by eating pests from the plot.

[@veryconfused9768]

You are doing good work

[@tic857]

My gramps did the same thing. He got his chicks from a friend and he only took eggs on days he wanted some, otherwise he'd just leave them. The ones that didn't produce he just let them be pest control.

[@memelord6510]

@@edithdlp8045 thank you, for letting everyone do their thing

[@chargerfish1]

Their manure is magic

[@toouniquetobe]

The most beautiful thing in nature is mutualism - that is what you guys are practicing there 💕

[@leventbahadrboran-rasyonel5876]

I will translate this video into Turkish. I'm starting now.

[@gudarstorst169]

Thank you

[@amerynpeters429]

Yes friend! Well done for making this video more accessible ✨

[@marleneantunes3293]

That's super nice! But I've heard that KZbin has stopped the feature where viewers can subtitle videos from KZbin creators... Probably you should check that out before starting! But you can also send Ed the translation by email... It's also an idea ahah. Good luck and thank you for the contribution :)

[@leventbahadrboran-rasyonel5876]

@@marleneantunes3293 Yes, I know that. I've translated many videos of Ed before. KZbin is going to stop community contributions after September 28. I think, I should get in contact with Ed to translate his videos into Turkish in some way.

[@ambzvillain410]

Harikasin

[@45trlu]

Mmm idk about this one. I think you are giving really selective info. I’m vegan and don’t even like eggs but I’m Native American and Latina and I have family that have pet chickens. They rarely use their eggs and take care of their chickens very well. The chickens (that I’ve seen so far) don’t like their eggs. If the eggs are not picked up rats and other vermin are attracted. I feel like if y’all are going this far with the what ifs in backyard hens why not go that far with cellphones, tech gadgets and exploitation of humans? I mean might as well right? If we are going this hypothetical with backyard hens. I understand they are not commodities but if you got a pet chicken, you treat it well, you take it to the vet for check ups and whatnot and take their eggs that they leave around the property I truly don’t see how that’s wrong. Like I said if we are going this hypothetical on backyard hens might as well do that as a vegan with all other things.

[@TigrexSC2]

I fully agree with you, I feel like a lot of arguments in this video are very forced, quite disappointed in it honestly.

[@theowild2524]

I can see where you're coming from on this, but I don't think that your argument and that of the video are really at odds. The real message I get from both is that all living beings should be treated with respect, and TBH as an anarcho-socialist, I do take it that far with other animals, including humans. It's unethical to view a chicken's value through the lens of exploiting them for maximum value, and it's equally unethical to do so to humans, or cows, or fish, or anything else, really. I know most people don't really see it that way, so that's just my two cents on the matter. I don't really think this video is about people like your family. They sound like they're doing a good job caring for their chickens, and if they call them pets it seems unlikely (to me, an outside observer with next to no information) like they don't view them as exploitable commodities, which is what this video's really about, I think.

[@marcoscabo9784]

You are right. Just as you said, if you are going to be so picky with your "ifs", you SHOULD go as far with lots of vegan products (or normal tech products) that come from countries on the other side of the world, where they exploit their workers (almost like farm animals), destroy the land and even contaminate quite a lot on the shipping to your country. If you dont want to eat eggs dont eat them, but the argument in this video is not that good.

[@bangturden7070]

i think many vegans are aware of other problems and try to minimize. also with cellphones and tech gadgets. there is so much you can do to make the world a better place for humans and non-humans :) i think this video is just an input on how we see animals and we should ask ourselves why we own backyard hens in the first place. the comparison with the lactating dog was very powerful to me - i would never do this to a dog, it would feel wrong. what are your thoughts on the dog-comparison?

[@SobrietyandSolace]

@@theowild2524 People absolutely do consider their backyard chickens as pets. Unless you are against people have pets at all (which some vegans are). We keep pets like dogs either as working animals or as companion animals, which is still viewing them as a resource, even as emotional gratification. It really doesn't negatively affect them to use the eggs when they continually lay regardless of any outside factor. It's really not that big a deal when they leave their eggs unattended or to feed them back their eggs and or oystershell. Of course if you are not willing to ensure welfare standards ensuring they do not become mineral deficient then you shouldn't have them. I think we need to return to homesteading rather than factoring farming. YOu are far more likely to get people to farm more ethically than stop consuming animal products at all. If we did, millions of livestock animals would be abandoned or culled en masse because at the end of the day farms aren't going to be able to keep thousands of animals that they cannot make money from, which is an unfortunate but unavoidable way of looking at things.

[@nicoleonfeels]

An animal’s right to live is not predicated on the use we can get out of them. 👏🏽

[@bifurioussiren]

@Esmae Dolman you can do whatever you want, doesn't make it morally ok.

[@nicoleonfeels]

To each their own, I’m just quoting the video. And I agree with Earthling Ed’s take.

[@barco111]

@David McCarthy we are also animals

[@barco111]

@David McCarthy yes

[@barco111]

@David McCarthy I would destroy u in a debate dont bother

[@MandaMoo1129]

I went vegan 8 weeks ago and this is actually a question I asked myself so this was of great use for me. I feel great about my decision to go vegan the more I discover things like this

[@theshumsshowforfun2.051]

Vegans are against farming eggs no matter how moral or ethical it is and they would deem it as commodification but what about other similar problems like forced male circumcision done without any medical reasoning. Most people do it for cosmetic purposes and never medical reasons (such as cancer) and its easier to clean the prepuce and avoid getting diseases in the first place. People would circumcise so they could profit the prepuce for other things like beauty and other products. And what’s the difference between circumcising a non consenting male infant compared to performing castration on livestock (cutting tails, tagging) both are done without anesthesia

[@baconcraving3259]

Hope you quit that stupid diet by now. Vegan is a great way to slowly deplete your body of essential nutrients

[@HuplesCat]

👍

[@gillhewerfamily6550]

@AIuzky Did you watch the video? Other than extremely specific cases, your beloved pet chicken came from a hatchery where the male chicks are put onto conveyors and smashed into pieces because they are not of economic value, on the first day of their lives. And they are also selectively bred in ways that make their lives plagued with poor health.

[@deerbirds]

My diet is 99% plant-based, and I have two lovely pet chickens. Both are breeds I specifically chose because they lay fewer eggs than "industrial" breeds, and I got them as pets, so I wanted to avoid as many egg-related health issues as I could. They have a large area to roam that is entirely safe from predators, they have fresh water and nutritious food, and the roosts where they sleep are padded with carpet for the utmost comfort for their little feeties. They get (very expensive, yikes) vet care from a great avian vet in my area who treats them as pets, not livestock. Unfortunately, the hormone implant (called suprelorin) that prevents hens from laying is not available in the US. Its use in poultry was outlawed by the FDA, so vets can no longer legally prescribe it here. If I had access to it, my girls would absolutely have the implants. Neither of them has ever gone broody. They just go in the box, rearrange the straw a little bit, lay their egg, and then leave it. They have no interest or reaction if you show them an egg - they don't seem to have a concept that it's their own egg. I do feed many of their eggs back to them - they prefer them scrambled, but they'll eat them raw as well if I break them. They've never willingly broken an egg to eat it though - they don't seem to see it as a food source unless I present it to them as food. I've definitely heard of chickens that will break and eat their own eggs, but it's also not a super common behavior. Also, assuming they're being fed a nutritionally complete formulated diet, feeding them all of their eggs can actually cause health problems like fatty liver disease, which can lead to sudden death. So eggs are best viewed as a treat rather than a staple for them. Therefore, I do eat some of their eggs, and I think that's perfectly ethical. And I tell them thank you very lovingly many times whenever I get an egg from the nest box, and I gently pet them, and they just ignore me and keep munching grass lol.

[@queentargaryen9389]

same over here, I honestly do not believe that eating the eggs are truely natural for them feeding a balanced diet is the most important part

[@gracey3537]

Thanks for writing this! I am 99% plant based as well. I just bought a big plot of land and I plan to rescue or have some hens of my own as pets but will not shy away from eating an egg or two if the hens will allow me too. I hope I can feed some back to them and figure out just how they enjoy their eggs :D! and of course give them all the love they want!

[@kalaveet2857]

You all three missed the point of the video entirely, good job👍 /s

[@queentargaryen9389]

@@kalaveet2857 oh look another vegan who thinks any effort short of full veganism to reduce harm is invalid. Literally pushing away any reasonable person who may be thinking of becoming a vegan. You aren't better than other people

[@kalaveet2857]

@@queentargaryen9389 I do not care about non vegans criticizing my activism. Keep crying about it

[@soumonism]

Great vid. I am vegan and would not eat any eggs but I think it is important to mention that many backyard chickens are not bred to lay 300 eggs, but with variation around 150. It is just important to give full disclosure.

[@soumonism]

@@chrisgartenn It doesn't spread lies, it just doesn't apply to all breeds of chicken. 150 eggs per year is also a huge stress on the body an the very definition of unethical.

[@punker4Real]

we should make you lay 300 eggs a year to see how it feels

[@soumonism]

@henry t I don't understand your argument. This was a point made that the information in the video is not fully accurate.

[@theshumsshowforfun2.051]

Vegans are against farming eggs no matter how moral or ethical it is and they would deem it as commodification but what about other similar problems like forced male circumcision done without any medical reasoning. Most people do it for cosmetic purposes and never medical reasons (such as cancer) and its easier to clean the prepuce and avoid getting diseases in the first place. People would circumcise so they could profit the prepuce for other things like beauty and other products. And what’s the difference between circumcising a non consenting male infant compared to performing castration on livestock (cutting tails, tagging) both are done without anesthesia

[@therealleddy364]

This is always something I get asked and I never really know how to answer. Thank you for this

[@beigeimpersonator682]

same

[@ishisshusisusjki8274]

@David McCarthy and probably you talk confidently about your diet because hurr durr my diet is better than yours, so what's the point on what what you said?

[@errorASMR]

so instead of critically thinking up your own answer, you'll substitute his

[@lewistodd7536]

@Stoney McStone No, her comment essentially admitted that she doesn't know why she doesn't eat them, but still holds a firm moral stance against eating them, nothing to do with ability to handle herself in a debate.

[@lewistodd7536]

Is it a she? Hard to make out.

[@herickgh3]

I submitted Portuguese subtitles! Please accept them. Love your work and activism.

[@SamuPuuronen]

Well done!

[@rox_ribeiro]

Que bom. Ele já aceitou? Eu adoraria compartilhar a versão em Português. Obrigada.

[@herickgh3]

@@rox_ribeiro Aceitou sim. Só ativar as legendas em portugues

[@leowdrums]

I’m 13 when I was 8 my dad told me that “cage free” eggs I ate it because I dident know. Then I actually put in some research on why my mom maid me vegan. I now understand it all. Vegan for life!🌱🌱❤️👍🏻

[@ryanhall8770]

Wish my parents were vegan, but they say that they like meat too much to care about the cruelty. They even watched the earthlings documentary

[@zakrowe1301]

@@ryanhall8770 my mom turned vegan about 6 years ago and the rest of the family slowly followed. I only went fully vegan earlier this year, only thing that held me back was sometimes I'd have meat on my cheat days and it took a while to come around on vegan cheese. I kinda wish I was raised vegan too

[@kenvisvielgern4436]

@@ryanhall8770 "Animal cruelty" is a trendy phrase invented by vegans in order to grant them humanity, because they believe animals are individuals. There's no such thing as animal cruelty

[@ryanhall8770]

Kenvis Vielgern let me ask you something. Can animals feel pain? Do we hurt them? If so, then it’s cruel. They don’t have the same mental capacity as human beings do but they can still feel things.

[@paspartu2453]

@@kenvisvielgern4436 "There's no such thing as animal cruelty" that's only partially true (for the most part) when it comes to non human animal relating to each other, but we are indivuduals capable of moral reflection, and therefore capable of cruelty towards non-human animals. Other thing is to consider any form of animal exploitation cruel in itself, which is something I don't agree with.

[@angeliquea9557]

Well, my toddler nieces from Cali visited me in Las Vegas for Easter. Their dad thought it would be cute to buy them $1 chicks. They thought it would be cool to just leave them with my mom and I..like 4 whole damn little lives and responsibilities. 🤣 We feed them our vegetable scraps and some grains. It’s good to know I was right to feed back their eggs, I gave it to them hard boiled. At first 4 eggs every single day was SO overwhelming. Now they lay an egg just once in a while. They also never incubate it. I’ve seen them step on it carelessly breaking it and not even eat it haha. So now the occasional eggs I get I feed to my big and small dog including the shell crushed for calcium. I’m relieved I no longer have a surplus of eggs and can just provide them an easy life in my backyard lol

[@christianstachl]

@Anonny Moose Read again, she didn't buy the chicks, the nieces' father did. She was only left with them and then took care. But basically you're right, of course.

[@Luthers_Mutter]

They now lat eggs every now and then?? Maybe you dont Fred them enough?

[@joannot6706]

Sorry to say but their dad seems like a piece of work.

[@walterino831]

@@joannot6706 no he doesnt he just isn't educated on this subject

[@arwa1029]

@@Luthers_Mutter did you watch the video? It’s natural for chickens to stop laying eggs at some point.

[@CameronEatsDirt]

As a person who has backyard chickens, it find it disgusting that someone would kill their chicken for not laying eggs or eating their own eggs! I love my chickens with all my heart, and the fact that people might call them a recourse? It makes me upset.

[@seanogorman3617]

Where do you get the hens from ? What happens to them when their production goes down?

[@rickbaines8966]

I have two rescue backyard hens and in spring and summer they lay an egg every now and then. But if I don’t take them away they will try to incubate them all day and night and won’t even come outside to eat or drink. They will literally sit on their egg untill they die. So I take them away, eat the egg itself and give them back the shells. If I’m not vegan because of that then so be it.

[@VasarosGamta]

No youre not vegan

[@AlexHackerification]

That's okay. It doesn't make you in any way a bad person, heck, you're a wholesome person. Nothing wrong with it. Keep the positive vibes with animals.

[@hospitalfood6621]

Kamilė Vasaravičiūtė 🙄🙄🙄

[@arwa1029]

That’s why labels are stupid, you are an amazing person

[@thatamericangamer7230]

@@AlexHackerification my cousins have hens to eat there eggs but don't worry they check if there fertil eggs So the ones that are are put back and ones that aren't are saved to be eaten

[@saifa9879]

I respect anyone's decision but here's my opinion on this matter, we have been raising chicken just because my family have this hobby for many many years as long as I remember, we don't really consume their meat.. but every now and then we do collect some of their eggs.. I do not see that as cruel or inhuman as they have a lot room to live their life and be happy, and the eggs we take usually are the ones they lose interest in because hens would not let you touch the eggs that they want to lay on (natural behavior that is explained in the video) and we don't force it. In the end I'd say its about where you live, what you have around you and what are your circumstances... again respect to anyone who is vegan or whatever choices you make, I'm not vegan but I can say I have not purchased a box of eggs in a very long time.

[@charlottecomeau1266]

THANK YOU. As a chicken enthusiast, this video confuses me. I like to watch them to get another perspective but this..... no. I've collected eggs before, and hens have let me (lemme tell you that when a hen doesn't want you to take her eggs, YOU WILL KNOW). Also they have no real purpose for unfertilized eggs unless they want to eat them, but I've found (forgotten) rotten eggs in a coop before which isn't sanitary or good for the chickens.

[@cancelled_user]

@Indigo Blue You missed the point where "a couple eggs" are all the eggs that a normal hen would normally lay in a whole year. Laying several times a week is not natural, it's a result of selective breeding and it has consequences that cause them to suffer. Watch again.

[@welcomeback2mychannel]

@Indigo Blue Normal doesn't equal right

[@ND-gb3dd]

Their secretions don’t belong to you...

[@NotHumant8727]

Aware and emphatic person simply can not enjoy fruit made out of pain and exploitation. That kind of person despises it, leaves it rot if necessary. That simple. Id say eat it if you are starving or something. But this isnt allways the main principle for being vegan i guess, sadly tho.

[@gelsey5783]

As a backyard chicken owner I love this video! My chickens are my pets (I don’t even like eggs so I only remove the eggs if my chooks don’t want to eat/incubate them). They’re my babies, hens and Roos alike! I hate that not all birds are treated as well as mine, and one goal of mine is to have a rooster rescue :D Not all of my hens like to eat eggs (raw, scrambled, boiled, fried, mixed with other treats...they’re just not fans). So, I make sure to give these particular hens extra calcium, protein, etc so they have enough nutrients. I give every bird of mine a physical check-up two to five times per week, as well as trips to the vet as needed. I’ve successfully healed my birds from bumblefoot, sprains, cuts, and being egg bound. My ladies and gentlemen are healthy, happy, and loved. They have an excellent flock dynamic and are safe from predators. I only wish the same for every other chicken on the planet 💚

[@-postapokalypso-7289]

What do you do with the eggs?

[@HannaYeen9798]

I have a few backyard (only occasionally indoor if my husband asks🤫) hens as pets. I honestly can't stand eggs. They gross me out. I just love the birds. I feel so bad for birds that get abused for eggs and meat. This is an amazing video. I don't see why we can't just love the birds for being feathered goofy companions.

[@-postapokalypso-7289]

I mean, i love them for exactly that, but the eggs pop out of them regardless. They will never eat as many eggs as they lay and leaving them in there to rot might not be the best idea. Then what? Throw them away? With out food waste culture? Hell, no. I think in this case, for me personally, the morally right choice...is to use the eggs. (And yes, I know thats not vegan :D)

[@HannaYeen9798]

@@-postapokalypso-7289 oh I get that the eggs need to be used. Especially since most chickens don't lay on them regularly or without a rooster. I donate the eggs to people who do eat them. It keeps them away from mass produced eggs that are full of abuse and neglect. We can't change what's been done already. I just believe it needs to quit being changed. The birds already lay enough for everyone. They don't need to be pushed further. I just hate seeing them being bred still to lay even more! Just love the bird as is. Ya know?

[@-postapokalypso-7289]

@liviC Yes I totally agree, ive seen those poor hens suffer from the amount of eggs they have to lay. Older breeds lay about 180 eggs per year and I think thats already a lot. Yess its a good idea to give others those eggs, I love to show my chickens too and make people aware what kind of beings they are.

[@HannaYeen9798]

@@-postapokalypso-7289 I show mine too! And my daughter just started getting into showing them as well. She doesn't like eggs either. We are just the crazy bird people lol. They're smart as heck too. I have one hen that I think was just greatful to be rescued (she was in a home with poor nutrition and spacing needs) and follows me. And answers to her name. She's so sweet. 😻

[@edithdlp8045]

@@HannaYeen9798 I believe donating eggs is an awesome job. I am vegan and I live in Los Angeles California in an apartment. If I had space I would have a couple of chickens as pets. My grandmother lived in the country and had several chicks. She would not eat them because she already named them and were her pets. They would die of old age. She would cry. I would also donate the eggs as well to help the abused chicken.

[@mariuszslawik59]

I've been thinking this video over, and what sprung to my mind, is that if vegans see taking eggs from backyard hens as morally unjustifiable (even if, say, they're well kept), then they should also be mindful of the products which might be violating human rights. I think that if you know that the eggs you bought come from healthy, well-treated hens, then it is not that you exploit these animals, it's more like they must give their products to their owners, but in exchange, they get shelter and good-quality food. If you contrast this with the living conditions of workers in some developing countries, then the life of hens seems almost like a luxury. It is great if one aims to live an ethical life with regard for every living being on the planet, but they shouldn't look only at animals. There are many products, by the consumption of which we fuel industries much more ruthless and harmful than somebody who keeps hens for their eggs in the backyard. It is important for humanity to move towards veganism, but it is much more important to reduce consumption in general and make more ethical consumer choices on every occasion.

[@zenstrain5052]

Vegans are for the animals. Humans are animals too. I’m not sure how or why being for animal rights is seen as not being for human rights? This is not the case. But it’s certainly not a human’s right to exploit another animal.

[@mariuszslawik59]

​@@zenstrain5052 I didn't mean to suggest that vegans might be hypocritic. Just that sometimes we can raise our awareness and reduce our footprint more than we think we can. And we should.

[@Mimsp]

One fight does not exclude the other.

[@marcusrivera1510]

Honestly, i think that before we try to fix the animal world we must fix our world. Don't get me wrong, i'm not saying that we shouldn't help animals by going vegan but how do you expect to help the lives of animals when we can't help ourselves.

[@Clarke1982]

​@@marcusrivera1510 I agree, we do need to repair our world and one way of moving towards that, and possibly one of the most important, is to stop animal agriculture. That is why we need to support animal welfare. All life as we know it is able to exist due to a symbiotic relationship that is balanced and maintained between plants, animals, humans etc. We can't fix one without fixing the other. This is an equation that needs to be considered and tackled from every angle and that includes fixing the current way in which we treat and farm animals. So by helping animals, we help the planet as a whole. I think we are helping ourselves when we start helping others. :)

[@garrettpuchalski4197]

Hey! So I've been vegan for like 5 years and vegetarian since 7 yo. We've had chickens (only hens, other than our old rooster who was a bit intellectually disabled) my whole life, they are free ranged, all named, and they live a long ass good life (some are even 13 yo!). I don't eat their eggs solely because I don't have the desire too, but otherwise I couldn't see anything wrong with eating the eggs from them, but I would love to hear other's perspectives. Thanks x

[@charlottepickering]

@Jonah Whale It's going well here farming without non-human manure. We do use humanure though of course, and composting, companion plants for chop and drop or to deter insects, EM, biochar, fermented urine, menstrual blood.

[@Tranksdofuturo]

@Juba Do you think that farmer want to hurt their animals? I love how vegans find a horrible case that its not the typical practice and say that ALL are like that. It is so retarded. If a black person commits a crime means all will commit? Thats what you are basically saying about farmers.

[@Tranksdofuturo]

@Juba You must be a city person. Profits?! Don't make me laugh. Like farmer's profit anything. Most of the time it's a work of love and they almost don't make enough to survive.

[@Tranksdofuturo]

@Juba You should be ashamed to compare animal farming with slavery. It's not the same. Does not matter what you say. Animals are not racional like us. You and people like you is what makes the comum people hate vegans. So sad

[@geraldinestanbridge5748]

@@Tranksdofuturo "it's not the same" "animals are not *rational* like us" you must be new here

[@maomao180]

An animal is not a resource or property, they are individuals that have an interest to live and avoid pain just like us.

[@jarifchowdhury8349]

🍗🍖🥩🌭🍔🥓, do you want some?

[@vittocrazi]

@@jarifchowdhury8349 no, thank you.

[@Meleeman011]

i think it's weird we consider any living things our property including our children, but if we didn't. those children would end up monsters, or shot dead by the police. like it or not we depend on these animals for our food. just like we depend on our children and pray the take care of us when were old. if we didn't manage the animals or our impact on the enviornment there would be significant human suffering as a result. the reason we hunt deer, and raise chickens ironically protect the enviornment more, although we could certainly eat less. that would be the simplest thing to do.

[@obama_man9933]

It’s fine to eat the eggs though unless they are fertilized

[@doxasticc]

I had pet chickens as a kid, they were healthy, didn't eat their own eggs on their own, and we occasionally took their eggs to eat. Don't really see a problem with that, the eggs would've just gone to waste. I guess we could've fed the eggs back to them, but they had plenty of food, ate lots of worms. Never had any issues with broken bones or osteoporosis. They lived long lives.

[@tiaendrigo2684]

My sister has fur allergies so we got chickens instead as pets cuz like why not. We got them from a local ranch from when they were little. We did eat the eggs they raid but never took them away when they were broody. So I feel, as long as the backyard chickens are happy, healthy and satisfied it’s ok to eat their eggs. You can’t stop them from laying anything, but you can stop buying from commercial egg companies that don’t treat the birds right.

[@DamnTastyVegan]

In the video he does say that there are ways to get them to stop laying eggs. Because it’s very taxing on their bodies to lay so many. Since we’ve bred them to lay an unnatural amount. Or he says it’s better to just feed the eggs back to them to replenish their nutrients

[@jennak.8541]

I’m happy at the fact that you guys are giving the chicks a good life but that still doesn’t change the fact that eggs are extremely unhealthy for humans to consume.

[@velociraptor3350]

​@@jennak.8541 Unhealthy ≠ immoral though.

[@deusdeusasmodeus]

@@jennak.8541 eggs extremely unhealthy ? you got me confused here eating too many eggs is unhealthy but eating a moderated amount is super healthy as an athlete i have done quite the research on what i eat all the studies say that consuming eggs while being an athlete is really healthy .

[@llamaliammm]

@@jennak.8541 literature pls

[@darthszarych5588]

I really appreciate your "why vegans dont" videos. They've changed my mind about a few things especially this one

[@theshumsshowforfun2.051]

Vegans are against farming eggs no matter how moral or ethical it is and they would deem it as commodification but what about other similar problems like forced male circumcision done without any medical reasoning. Most people do it for cosmetic purposes and never medical reasons (such as cancer) and its easier to clean the prepuce and avoid getting diseases in the first place. People would circumcise so they could profit the prepuce for other things like beauty and other products. And what’s the difference between circumcising a non consenting male infant compared to performing castration on livestock (cutting tails, tagging) both are done without anesthesia

[@laurap8529]

My ladies are pets. I’m only allowed to keep hens in my community (because of crowing).I have pet silkies and they lay a comparatively small number of eggs per year. Their eggs are also pretty small so they typically are kept more as pets or, in a farm setting, because they are good mothers to baby chicks. Because they are frequently kept as pets, I was able to get them from someone who keeps all their male birds rather than killing them. I feed egg yokes in some cases, but I don’t really think it’s healthy for them to eat large quantities of egg. It seems similar to feeding an adult mammal large quantities of milk and expecting it to sustain them. My chickens appear to agree since they usually will not finish any egg yoke that I try to give them and I have to collect it in a few hours to keep it from going bad. In other videos, Ed recommends leaving all eggs in the coop and, per the comments of that video, that has resulted in a number of chicken deaths since eggs were left to rot attracting predators. He’s not an expert, so take his recommendations with extreme caution. Some of the problems that he presents as typical are more a sign of poor care. Chickens do need good calcium sources like oyster shell and protein from insects. Depending on the caretakers perspective, there may be a lack of willingness to provide for these needs and I’m not entirely sure it that contributes to some of the health problems that he has observed in rescue chickens. I don’t think it’s a good idea to try to encourage your hen to go broody (not that you can really control that) since the hen will deny themself food and water to sit on an unfertilized egg that is rotting under them.

[@xsilentmelodiesx]

Every point you made was correct. I'm vegan but have been breeding chickens for as long as I can remember. I'm so tired of seeing vegans complain and deny backyard eggs. You can choose not to consume them yourself, but if the hens are being kept responsibly then there is absolutely no harm in eating their eggs.

[@saltoftheegg]

SiIentMeIodies Yeah... the title of this video really bugs me because it’s basically saying “if you eat this you’re not REALLY a vegan according to me, the vegan police”

[@stevenvachon9745]

Excellent comment, thank you. I have wanted to have backyard hens for a while now and this answers a few questions.

[@hospitalfood6621]

SiIentMeIodies 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@hospitalfood6621]

Emily Griese 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@CreaturesThird]

Generally, I'm inclined to agree with most messages your content provides. This one I find a bit troublesome. I agree with several points, but some things I don't feel make sense. I get the sense that what you are alluding to is that there should not be any domesticated animals in existence. All animals that fall into the realm of "domesticated" have at some point served a "purpose" for us. Dogs (historically and even in modern times) were security, status symbols, hunting tools, and sometimes during lean times they also served as food. Cats help get rid of pest, showed status and held religious value, and also served as food. And the list goes on for them and other domesticated animals. If we follow the trend for all domestic animals, then in all likelihood it seems they will slowly have the door opened to become "pets". Opening a bridge of sorts to really understand them and ourselves. And, all pets also still serve a "purpose". Whether it's a service animal helping disabled people or simply a loving cat that keeps grandma company and provides love and companionship. I've come to believe that humans are by our own nature and our own purpose changers/manipulators of nature. Sadly, because of things like religion, politics, and greed, we abuse our great abilities. And furthermore, with the apathy and ignorance of the masses, we progress towards the good within ourselves at an ever-slowing pace. I think you can still allow an animal to experience their "purpose" without taking away from their ability to contribute to people. It's just that people need to develop ways to take only what we need and contribute back what we take. I would hate to see our world be stripped of some of the wonderful domesticated animals that are in it's creation, even if humans were the main facilitators of their existence. I apologize if this is rambly and incoherent. In short, I just think we can still love our chickens and their eggs as long as we take great care to acknowledge and act positively towards their needs and their health. They are our responsibility, and what we do to and for them is a direct reflection of humanity.

[@thesatinbowebird]

Exactly, like you can have cows on a farm to help add nutrients to soil but don't send them off the be killed to make a quick buck. Have hens in your garden and let them chill and enjoy their company but leave their periods alone. We need more people to see animals as animals and not biological vending machines

[@pumpkinomom4446]

I totally agree! Especially with the point made with other animals: when we adopt an animal, we hope that it will bring us comfort and company ie we WANT something in return. What about service dogs for the blind for example? Same thing. It's about the way we care for the animals, it's about treating them with respect: owning animals is a mutual comittment (or that's the way I see it): the most healthy way is if both parties get something positive from each other's company.

[@SkySweetie]

Hmmm how do we account for their exhausting over production of eggs? We would have to keep them and select for birds who have less menstruation cycles to correct... or you'd find and keep wild chickens for a pupose of repopulating them? That's wrong.. so.. what to do. That much menstruation is agony.

[@goratanemaorani5290]

James Ratcliff exactly what I’m thinking.

[@SobrietyandSolace]

@@SkySweetie No, you do not have to do those things. Raising backyard chickens and intensive factory farming are two very very different things and I'd be happy to see the latter eradicated. W waste so much foo das it is honestly we don't need this gross overproduction of eggs. In my grandparent's country they literally do have wild junglefowl that just turn up and decide to chill because they get fed and protected from predators. They just leave their eggs all over the damn place and if they aren't being sat on we'll take them.

[@Andrea111116]

If anybody asks me that question again, now I can just send them this video 🐔

[@TomVFormOfficial]

Chris Garten What isn‘t true about this? We had chickens for years and all of this is factual. 1. we only bought females 2. we killed them once they stopped laying eggs 3. once they found out they could eat their own eggs, it was a problem that had to be solved by replacing them through a new hen. You talk about propaganda. All animal industries spread propaganda about happy animals and humane slaughter, free range and gras fed. That’s the real propaganda.

[@daniele9209]

But my question I want to ask vegan is if we don't eat livestock what should we do with them? Freeing them is out of question because they don't belong in nature, they were created by men through selective breading. So they would be detrimental to the habitat they are freed in because they have no place there and/or die because they are unfit for survival (ex. Wild turkey are able to fly while domestic turkey can barely jump). So if obviously killing them is out of question, what should we do with the BILLIONS of farm animals there are in the world? Sterilize them and wait for all the the human made breeds to eventually die off? I don't know, sounds kinda cruel to me and also sounds like an awful lot of work nobody will ever pay for. No vegan that I asked so far has been able to reply to this question, so please help me I'm trying to wrap my head around this for so long.

[@JuanCarlos-vr3bs]

@@TomVFormOfficial wow you are incompetent to even take care of hens... hope you dont have children... 1. Why? I always have at least two roosters even if they start fighting each other... 2. Yeah, what else did you expect? 3. You obviously didnt feed them well enough...

[@Andrea111116]

@@daniele9209 Ed has explained many times that "global veganism" if it ever exists is a process that will take many years. Its all about supply and demand. Its never going to be from one day to the next. There will be a reduction at the beggining of animal insemination (cows etc) a gradual process if you will.

[@daniele9209]

@@Andrea111116 sorry but this doesn't answer my question, if you could link me the exact video maybe it can help.

[@beckyscleanersock8395]

So since backyard hens are laying more eggs because of selective breeding, what should we do? Make them cease to exist?

[@emilylouise9705]

I've encountered this issue when talking to vegans about sheep, too. Sheep have been selectively bred to have wool that grows continuously. It doesn't shed naturally, which means they need to be sheared regularly or their coat will become heavy, matted, and full of parasites. But I've met some vegans who think shearing sheep is cruel. But what's the alternative? Yes, humans are 'at fault' for selectively breeding these animals... 1000s of years ago...so, like, there's not much we can do about it now, is there? Do they want to cull all of these selectively bred animals? Surely the most humane thing is to care for these animals appropriately (like giving these chickens a high calcium diet and allowing them to roam around in a safe area)

[@beckyscleanersock8395]

Emily Louise exactly! Feed them gut loaded bugs with calcium and other necessary vitamins. I’m not a vegan, but earthling Ed is really opening a lot of possibilities. I’m working my way towards it slowly as morally there is no excuse, but I’m not going to think it’s okay to just let an entire species of domesticated animals to be essentially impossible to not have a cruel existence. If you love your hens and give them the appropriate amount of attention and care I personally don’t see a problem of that. I personally would love to have a chicken coop one day. I take care of all my animals amazingly

[@starandfox601]

Red jungle fowl can produce 250 eggs a year laying a egg every day during summer and spring if there's enough food. Most of those eggs will be eaten by predators with only 1 or 2 chicks making it to adult hold due to everything eating them.

[@Vunderbread]

I learned a lot about chickens doing a WWOOF on an organic farm in Hawaii. The little bastards were everywhere. Drive to the grocery store, gotta avoid em running around the parking lot. The farm had chickens, although they just sort of symbiotically existed there. The farmer never bought them, adopted them, or ever made an attempt to domesticate them. They just kinda were always there. One thing I NEVER saw, not once, was a chicken eating its own egg. I'm not sure if it's a species thing, but those chickens didn't seem to have any instinct for that. And they were very hungry, all the time. The farmer never fed them, as there was generally plenty of food for all manner of wild life all year round. But it was obvious they were pretty ravenous most of the time, yet I never once saw them eating an egg. Once in a while they'd freak out if you got too close to a roosting hen, but most of the time they would lay an egg and just leave. My GF would often go around picking up stray eggs, clearly abandoned, lying right on the ground totally unsheltered (they are magnets for rats and mongoose, huge problems there) Weird creatures overall. I left with the impression that backyard eggs can be totally ethical if done right.

[@oilscience9808]

I have 65 chickens, and they are a vital part of our gardening. If we didn't have the chickens we would have to use pesticides. The eggs we get are a bonus.

[@embarrassedcap]

to my understanding, they don't NEED to eat their eggs, but they will do that when other sources of calcium are unavailable. don't quote me though, idk. plus, what they eat is the shell. do you eat the shell? no? me neither. I've been vegan for 6ish years now, but when I was a kid my family had some backyard chickens. they were pets, but we ate their eggs. sometimes we saved the shells for the chickens, but they seemed pretty uninterested. they had plenty of nutritional food and a supplement for calcium however.

[@theshumsshowforfun2.051]

Vegans are against farming eggs no matter how moral or ethical it is and they would deem it as commodification but what about other similar problems like forced male circumcision done without any medical reasoning. Most people do it for cosmetic purposes and never medical reasons (such as cancer) and its easier to clean the prepuce and avoid getting diseases in the first place. People would circumcise so they could profit the prepuce for other things like beauty and other products. And what’s the difference between circumcising a non consenting male infant compared to performing castration on livestock (cutting tails, tagging) both are done without anesthesia

[@purrrley]

I never understood why vegans don't eat the eggs of their backyard hens. I was planning to get hens in the future to eat eggs again but now I understand why I won't eat their eggs. Thank you!

[@TomVFormOfficial]

Chris Garten where are the males?

[@JuanCarlos-vr3bs]

@@chrisgartenn man i cant believe how easy it is to spread lies... and the best part is people believe it simply because they have spent their entire lifes either in a city or in front of a tv/pc they dont know anymore how this world functions... you could tell them anything and out of lack of experience they will believe it... this is total propaganda...

[@sarahrojek3717]

If you want to have chickens, just make sure you don't feed the industry by buying them. Rescue them from sanctuaries or rescues

[@sarahrojek3717]

@Ian Lev you are the one in a cult. I left one. You probably don't know most of what goes on in this industry. But I have the feeling that even if you did, you're just too much of a crappy person. How hard is it to be kind to all?

[@viz2y]

just feed them some of their eggs and keep them after theyre done laying, thats what I do

[@HJB30]

This series has been extremely helpful for me as I make my journey to veganism. Thank you so much. If you haven't already, can you make one on oysters / mollusks?

[@Mag_1418]

OMG the number of times this question was brought up to me during an outreach! THANK YOU

[@christiancoleman5452]

This isn't a good argument. Chickens eat egg shells for lack of nutrition, so you'd just eat the inside and feed them back the shell.

[@Mag_1418]

@@chrisgartenn Backyard chickens have better lives than some people - except no people get beheaded once they're no longer in the workforce.

[@Mag_1418]

Chris Garten I'm sorry for assuming you're not a part of 99.999% of population that doesn't keep rescued backyard chickens. Nonetheless, the kind and compassionate thing to do for those chickens is to either give them an implant preventing ovulation or to crack the eggs for them, so that they could eat it and make up for calcium depletion.

[@Mag_1418]

Chris Garten who said we want to sterilize humans? woot

[@fireside9549]

Here we go. Someone is comparing a human life with a chicken. 😂

[@k-Gonzo]

Your whole argument hinges on the idea that people only have hens for egg production, rather than keeping them as pets who also produce eggs.

[@SallijaBule]

Exactly! Lots of people have them as beloved pets 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@happyunicorns3761]

I think he was speaking about people who sell their hen's eggs, not people who keep rescue hens as pets.

[@k-Gonzo]

@@happyunicorns3761 we only sell our eggs because they lay way more than we could ever hope to eat.

[@k-Gonzo]

@@SallijaBule We love our hens and one rooster. :)

[@freezeonice1999]

@@k-Gonzo exactly hahaha people don't realize just how much eggs they produce

[@BenTheCuber]

4:10 Tens of chickens and $tens of thousands of dollars worth of vet bills later and here I am with 18 chickens. Five of them are 9 years old. 7 of them would be dead right now if they hadn't been saved in some way, with 4 of those 7 being saved by the vet. Of the many of my chickens who died from sicknesses, I try to focus on the ones who would have died if they had not been saved one way or another. 1 of the 7 who were saved got flystrike. My parents and I carefully removed the bug larvae and used hydrogen peroxide to flush the wound daily until it had healed. Had we waited a few more hours, and the bug larvae would have probably killed her. With 5 chickens being covered, 2 are left. One of them has visited the vet for non life-threatening conditions, but that one was saved when my parents found a hawk mauling him to death but successfully removed the hawk and saved my rooster's life. The last chicken was one who was accidentally not locked up away with the other chickens and was accidentally left outside. Fortunately, I have an obsession with counting my chickens to the point where I will count them upwards of 10 times to make sure they are all there. I found this chicken outside when it was almost pitch black and luckily he was not left outside.

[@fredrickpeters1628]

Way to go! You are a caring, compassionate person. We need more just like you

[@klarawk]

I understand that leaving the eggs for the hens to eat them is the best option and I agree that we shouldn't keep any animal for our own gain nor to take anything they produce, but in a case the hen lays multiple eggs and won't eat them all (assuming this could be the case) and the rest would go to waste, what is wrong with taking these eggs for ourselves? Not because we think we deserve them, but just because taking them wouldn't harm the hen, wouldn't deprive her of anything if she's not interested in eating or hatching it, or won't be consumed otherwise and would just rot. I don't particularly see it as exploitation, because the hens wouldn't be kept to lay eggs or serve us, they would be kept as pets and taken care of, and the leftover egg just happened, so why should it go to waste? I'm not a hen-specialist by any means, I'm just genuinely curious

[@AlexHackerification]

Nothing wrong at all. Especially if you take care of them as pets, show the love they deserve as any sentient being. There's really nothing wrong if the hens aren't exploited or seen as machines. My neighbor's hens produce eggs by their own and he never forced them to lay eggs or whatever. It just happens. So he takes some leftover and get nutrients without any cruelty. It's better than supplementing and you got the opportunity to share love and compassion. I think people got so disgusted by industries and humans's behavior that they cannot trust any viable way of loving and sharing. Backyard eggs don't mean exploiting at all. Yes some people see as that but some don't. It's about having pets and not forcing any animals.

[@klarawk]

doreiku I agree, but when reading some of the comments I noticed people still found it somehow wrong and I was wondering if I maybe was missing something. Anyway thanks for your reply!

[@AlexHackerification]

@@klarawk Cause most people are going hard on feelings and saw industries. That's why most people blame me for being vegetarian (ethical one and small consumption). Also a lot of vegetarians go hard on animal products like cheese so it doesn't make sense and bring more harm aswell. So they are sometimes right but it's not every vegetarian. There's no need to go to an extreme if you can do otherwise. If your pets are happy and glad to be near you and not exploited, there's nothing wrong. They're animals like us, and as you may know, some people are so happy that they're glad to give something back in return. Till it's not forced, there's nothing wrong. You're a wholesome person, follow your heart and cruelty free or the least possible (cause i know it's hard nowadays with humanity being the worst thing ever). edit: sorry, i brought too much of my views. But TL;DR: you're a wholesome person and there's nothing wrong till it's not exploitation.

[@emmysalam8735]

There’s nothing wrong with it. I’m vegan myself, but disagree with many views that vegans have. I honestly feel repulsed by the vegan community most of the time bc they’re some of the most judgmental people I’ve ever met and find fault with sooo many things. I believe that if we truly care about animals AND people, then we should be gentle with one another and not find fault with how other people are trying their best. So many people turn away from veganism bc they feel attacked rather than encouraged. I just think as long as someone is trying their best and wants to be more ethical, they should be supported. And eating eggs that in no way cause harm to chickens sounds pretty ethical and sustainable to me.

[@AlexHackerification]

@@emmysalam8735 I'm glad I read your mindful words. I feel like most people are judgmental based on what they saw and keep seeing from humans behaviours and industries and the "no care, don't happen to me" mindset. Also, some vegans really get too deep into labels and insult me for being ethical vegetarian with such small proportion of animal products. Like you said, if it doesnt cause any sort of harm and ethical, I don't the issue. Also, most animals who feel loved and happy like to give it back or show it. Damn, made me remember of the goat who I cuddled all the time. She died from age related. Anyway, I'm really happy I got to read your comment, Emmy. We should ditch labels and seek the least possible harm and sustainable ways.

[@mylesw8940]

I've been raising between 10-20 chickens in my backyard for 15+ years now. I have NEVER had a case of osteoporosis, egg binding, egg yolk peritonitis, or any of the other problems you mentioned here. Occasionally they will eat their own eggs maybe 1 egg out of every 100 or so its almost always when the egg has a crack in it. When our hens stop laying we simply let them free range 24/7, the 15 birds have 2 acres with plenty of bugs so they are easily able to feed themselves. Finally you dont need to go to commercial breeders for hens you can simply breed your own right in your backyard. Hope this helps to educate you a bit on raising hens in your backyard!

[@AnachronyX]

A nice fairytale. Are you paid for this? "When our hens stop laying we simply let them free range 24/7" Yeah, sure, maybe in some alternate reality.

[@foodfaithandmotherhood]

myles W we are the same! So glad you said this

[@mylesw8940]

@@AnachronyX yes this message was sponsored by the big backyard hens association. Membership is pretty hard to get you must have at least 3 hens but not more than 20. It's easy to let your hens free range after they stop laying, when you don't get anymore eggs from that flock just leave their cage door open.

[@mylesw8940]

@@foodfaithandmotherhood great ethical way to feed you and your family!

[@AnachronyX]

​@@mylesw8940 Yeah, it's easy, but nobody does it. So your "true" story is the same kind as happy cows at pasture pictured on milk packages.

[@BenTheCuber]

1:40 My dad has a HUGE bag of calcium and I feed the calcium to my happy egg laying hens. No fractures yet, and I hope that it stays like that!

[@rubyrootless7324]

My mother (not vegan) treats her hens like family members that give her great gifts everyday. They are fed the best food she can find on the wide internet, given calcium from the egg shells and supplements and she studied chickens religiously before taking them in. I see the arguments, that she bought them from breeders that treat the most beautiful chickens like property to sell them, or that she doesn't have a cock and thus most probably had male chicks die for her hens, that she eats the eggs when they're not being treated by the vet, but I would never want to villainize her in any way for this. They are what she pours her heart into. The chickens can well be included in the top 5 list of the most important parts of her life, she does all she can for them (vets, supplements, special food, a lot of room, shelter, attention, provided for with her knowledge about possible common diseases, petting to those who want it etc.) and the hens really do seem love her, too. They all have names, will never be killed for any reason besides grave suffering when there can be nothing else done, and she wants them to live their best lives. I'd call that rather symbiotic (now hat they've been bred into existence, the time before that is another question. It should be added that most of them are not of the extreme breeding races, although they definitely lay more than biology would like). I understand your view, but this time I don't share it. This feels to much like cutting all ties to the animal kingdom completely.

[@barco111]

What u mean by cutting all ties with the animal kingdom

[@bobgreen486]

You're just trying to justify your mother's immoral actions. Chickens are wild animals

[@richardbilton4212]

@@bobgreen486 chickens have been domesticated for thousands of years, if you let every chicken free into the wild they would all be killed by predators

[@theshumsshowforfun2.051]

Vegans are against farming eggs no matter how moral or ethical it is and they would deem it as commodification but what about other similar problems like forced male circumcision done without any medical reasoning. Most people do it for cosmetic purposes and never medical reasons (such as cancer) and its easier to clean the prepuce and avoid getting diseases in the first place. People would circumcise so they could profit the prepuce for other things like beauty and other products. And what’s the difference between circumcising a non consenting male infant compared to performing castration on livestock (cutting tails, tagging) both are done without anesthesia

[@tiffany02020]

Okay this is close. Obviously there are just many exceptions and obviously you’ve never taken care of chickens, but this is good info still. Not all chickens go broody, and they only do so in the late spring. There are other ways to dissuade egg eating besides culling. And you also don’t want that egg eater to eat eggs that are being brooded? You know what I mean? It would suck for that momma hen to work so hard to hatch a clutch and have some other lady peck that egg and kill the fetus. Also! Going broody is INCREDIBLY harsh on the hen. They pull their feathers out, they have lower immune systems, they don’t eat as much. They are on those nests for 23 hours a day for 21 days. They get up twice a day to go eat drink and poop. A broody hen poop is something to behold. It’s gnarly. So it’s hard for me to hear people be like “let them be broody it’s better for them” when I’ve felt so bad for every single one of my hens who goes broody. It’s like their version of being pregnant. It sucks and looks very uncomfortable. But they’re always better than an incubator. Mother Nature is incredible. And I’ve never purchased from a store or a factory, I just get hatching eggs from older friends and family who have had their flocks for decades. Many don’t lay 300 a year, that’s insane haha. It’s a little frustrating to be framed as automatically bad when you don’t know all the options. Also, I just feel it’s not a bad thing to want something from an animal. I wouldn’t buy a dog unless I had a job for it to do. They love to work. And I wouldn’t keep a farm animal unless it did something to help my farm. This doesn’t mean just eggs, it also means poop and scratching and natural fertilizing for gardens. I just feel there’s a way to be an ethical small homesteader and you’re focusing a lot on like, the industrial side of it. That’s too easy to condemn. Dig deeper!

[@okaye5352]

Hi! I am a keeper of 7 backyard chickens an 4 backyard ducks. This video is leading most viewers to believe that the listed illnesses are always fatal. However, I’ve treated a couple cases of EYP and Egg Binding each causes by things unrelated to high-production. Egg Binding is found in ALL birds that lay eggs, but it is true that it is most common in *high production* chickens. Not all breeds were bred to lay 300 eggs every year. Just those used for commercial egg laying. Breeds that I have lay as little as 100 eggs every year.

[@deusdeusasmodeus]

his arguments are one sided . he's not neutral he does everything he can to make people like veganism and to them pity the animals .i still believe consuming animal products is crucial for your health specially in your development phase . there are humans that only consume what they hunt and what they gather and science have proved that their digestive system is one of the most robust and one of the durable digestive system ever (the hadza tribe) . so basically most vegans are just too sentimental about animals cause they don't have real probles in life so they made a problem so they can focus on that . if they truly went vegan because they didnt want animals to suffer then they should also stop using technology (humans are exploited in making electronics and we all know that ) and buying jewelry (kids in africa are exploited to mine and alot of them are dying while doing that) because humans are also animals suffering to make these things so these people can live their luxurious lives without war without any real problems . instead of fighting the real source of emissions they fight something humans have been doing for our all existence .

[@RainbowCuga]

​@@deusdeusasmodeusthe point of being vegan is to see animals as sentient beings who doesn't deserve to die for us. We aren't being oversensitive, our moral is animals are with us and not for us. We try to eliminate as many animal products from our life, meat, honey, egg, milk, leather, wool etc.. but there are things that cannot right now be replaced like you said technologies often having animal products in them. It's about trying to take as little lives as possible, it's not possible technically to live a life where you aren't an issue for animals at least not yet

[@bellabunny5425]

Just signed up for Veganuary!!! 🥳I have been a vegetarian for a while now and your channal showed me what happens in the dairy and egg industry is horrific. It really helped me make that step to veganisum. Thank you so much for what you do😘!(Just subscribed by the way!!!)

[@Myeolxmang]

I just did too!♥️

[@bellabunny5425]

@@Myeolxmang Sweeet!🥳👍😜

[@allee3476]

Congratulations! I was researching vegetarianism around March, 2018 when I found out the cruelty that exists in the eggs and dairy industries and went vegan cold turkey.

[@bellabunny5425]

@@allee3476 That's amazing!!! The thing I'm struggling with the most isn't what I eat... It's my family's disapproval. They are constantly saying rude things to me. How do vegans put up with this everyday?

[@allee3476]

Bella Bunny Wow, so sorry that your family isn’t supportive. I am kinda lucky that my omnivore fiancé is very supportive, I only wish she would join but she’s so set in her ways. After I switched to a whole plant based foods lifestyle for animals and environment, I also experienced a tremendous improvement in my health as I lost forty five pounds, got off blood pressure medication, blood glucose level lowered, cholesterol levels are down and within the normal range. Perhaps if you have room for improvement, and could switch to a wholesome plant based lifestyle instead of processed vegan food, you could show them the improvement in your health. Best of luck!

[@Enrique-un6fh]

I’ve been vegetarian for a year right now, I stopped eating dairy products 3 months ago and backyard eggs was the only animal product that I was consuming. This video was exactly what I was looking for, I was trying to find out reasons to stop eating eggs, because apparently, hens don’t suffer when you take their eggs, everyone in my social circle thinks that. So thank you very much for your labour, you’re very important to the future of many life things and your impact in the society is necessary to have a real change, this video appeared in my life in the best moment, keep going with your message❤️🌱

[@oddvegan9797]

👍

[@bubandlisa]

I bet people HATE having to invite you over. Make 2 separate meals so not to offend the veggy. Separate pots & pans.. or you invite non veggy over they fake liking your food then pop to McDs on the way home. 😂😂

[@erikamatiasportugalreis4456]

#1 My grandma had chickens they drop up to 2/day every day. #2 She didn't kill those who ate their own eggs, she just started to pick up those eggs earlier. #3 Males kill each other.

[@obama_man9933]

They usually won’t, they can hurt each other pretty badly though, and if they’re raised together they usually won’t fight at all

[@ILexe]

i'm protecting my chickens from predators and i take care of them. Even if they don't give me eggs i still take care of them and i won't kill them. What's wrong with that ? I don't get it.

[@kuusakat1308]

Perhaps watch the video.

[@esperanzamontford2765]

If youre not keeping them so you can take their eggs, then nothing is wrong with it :)

[@nikkilengyel]

Nothing is wrong with it, it is said in the video.

[@AlexHackerification]

Nothing. I do the same and they're happy and not slaughetered even if they don't produce much after years. They're treated as any pets. We never forced them to produce eggs. They do by their own. I think too many people got so disgusted about industries and humans's behavior that they think it's impossible to care and share love without forcing nor exploiting.

[@owlsrawesome]

If you bought them from a breeder or hatchery, they most likely killed the male chicks because no one wants to buy them. Also, if they are laying 300 eggs a year, they are prone to egg-binding, cloacal prolapse, and all the other ailments that were listed in the video, so if you truly care about their wellbeing you should look into giving them a birth control implant so that they don't lay such an unnaturally high number of eggs anymore which puts strain on their bodies.

[@lography6917]

I think that a lot of people don't understand that it's not the product itself: "an egg" that is inherently "not-vegan", rather it's the process by which those are acquired. In instances of backyard laying hens, even in "ideal" situations like Joe Rogan and Miley Cyrus both tried to do, those chickens ended up either mauled by coyotes, dogs or burned by wild-fires (and weren't saved because most people don't value them at the same level they do dogs and cats). Now, what I mean by the above, about the product not being inherently not-vegan, might need some explaining. Essentially, if we imagine a future where everyone is vegan, and in this scenario people are capitalists. In that world, if they were able to selectively breed hens back to normal, where they only lay 12 or so per year, then if you had large acreage where hens could roam, you could somehow ensure no dogs or predators harm them, outside of the normal situation they might face if they were wild, and if you treated them as you do dogs and cats and loved them, petted them, saved them, etc (not just treated them as property - I know someone who had hens and then he brought them to have them slaughtered for food) - Anyways, if they then laid eggs, and they did not incubate them and the egg was then a waste product, and in this situation, they also aren't going to eat the egg themselves to regain calcium, and removing the egg won't cause them to have more eggs sooner than necessary leading to ovarian cancer, and if the egg wouldn't be eaten by other scavengers or insects otherwise (a closed ecological system as Earthling Ed might put it) - then I'd argue that in this hypothetical framework, the "egg" is vegan. However, this is somewhat edging on the principals of "freeganism". The problem I see with this is that obviously, we can't say a scavenger or insects wouldn't otherwise eat this item. And if we take away food from an animal that otherwise needs it, it might then lead them to find food elsewhere in the form of hunting a live animal (an open ecological system). This is why road-kill and even a pepperoni pizza in the dumpster behind a Little Caesar's can never truly be vegan unless it met the above theoretical framework. All this said this is far detached from the reality that many of these animals face. If even in the best of scenarios which would require God-like manipulation we can barely ensure the egg is vegan, then surely in the common day-to-day scenario, it's obvious that back-yard eggs aren't even close to being vegan.

[@kaminosystem]

I don't really agree with you. If the only animal products someone consumed were products from dumpster diving, I don't know how that wouldn't be vegan. Not every place has animals that roam the garbage, and even if they did, a lot of processed foods such as a pepperoni pizza would contain an unhealthy and possibly dangerous amount of salt for wild animals to consume. I would argue that not paying for animal products, but consuming the ones that would otherwise go to waste, is a better scenario than not dumpster dive and purchase foods that also required resources to be produced (unintentionally killing smaller animals, water use, labor, transportation..). That doesn't mean I think we're morally obliged to dumpster dive, I think vegans have many choices regarding how they minimize suffering in their own behaviors, and shouldn't feel like we always have to look at hypothetical consequences for well intended actions, when we don't even know how to weigh all of those "outlier options" against each other.

[@konjfful2963]

This is ridiculous. My family raises hens. We have 12 hens. Fenced in property with an extra protected chicken coop. Our dog is friendly and they hang out often. I know many families who raise hens the exact same way. Our hens aren't broody so the eggs would be a waste product. You're saying this is almost impossible. It is if you purchase eggs, but if you raise hens this is the norm. You're very misunderstanding of the situation

[@rubyrootless7324]

this is very detached from reality. Like, fields kill animals too. If we respected every single animal, be it bears, beavers or bugs, we simply would all die in a matter of days to months.

[@paspartu2453]

It is so difficult for you to wrap your head around the idea of animal protein as a second hand (predigested and biologically synthesized) protein coming along with plenty of nutritional byproducts proven to be unhealthy for human beings? Your stupid rant is yet another example of "the vegan rethoritician" who has not the slightest clue about nutritional science or political economy for that matter but a pregnant imagination to conflate some especulations an try to pass them as "theoretical framework".

[@rubyrootless7324]

@@paspartu2453 God chill. Yes, there are some flaws in their comment but stop being such a dick to people who wanna make good choices and just think too much about it. It's not only about health anyways. The ethical part is important to many people and if it isn't to you, that doesn't mean that it's not an issue to be discussed. Just your view that is definitely not the allmighty, godgiven truth

[@LifeOnMyCurlyPlanetXo]

I would love for you to invite people from the internet or "general public" to debate with you on certain topics via stream or something as opposed to the videos you post that have a controlled argument.

[@christiancoleman5452]

YESSSS

[@shellyfiguereo6016]

Thank you so much for this. I feel like a common misconception about vegans is that we think we know everything and are better than others, but on the contrary I'm constantly opening my mind to new information. I don't know how the concept of giving back to the hens went over my head, but it makes so much sense (animals have naturally sustainable behaviors) and I greatly appreciate the new perspective.

[@patm5369]

To me being vegan means one thing, I treat all sentient beings the same way I want to be treated. I haven't eaten an egg in more than 10 years and I have no desire what so ever to ever eat one. Thank you Ed for all the precious information you share with us. It is priceless.

[@owar7105]

Pat M exactly that and until you become vegan your still a fool fooling yourself but the ones I find bonkers are vets that eat meat

[@patm5369]

@@owar7105 I always wonder about vets myself. They are supposed to care and save animals.

[@kaminosystem]

@@owar7105 I mean vets are also the ones who inseminate animals that continues their breeding and suffering.. :(

[@charlotta9795]

Im going to use the first sentence in my next instagram photo caption thanks!!!

[@blackthornbark]

@David McCarthy we are animals just like the others, just with one extra quality - we have the choice how we treat others. we are not starved mountain lions, we built societies and the choice to build a factory farm or tend a garden next belong to us, not wolfs, not badgers, not gorrilas.

[@VasudevSubramaniam]

Let us not forget that the commercial egg industry exists because we started with backyard eggs

[@chipaanderson4585]

Thank you I was recently discussing this with a friend

[@SaschiaSlytherin]

Its a topic i was unsure about, so thanks for bringing up some arguments i havent thought of yet

[@YoungMule]

Okay but what if you treat them well and occasionally take some eggs? A mutualistic relationship rather than the parasitic one this video is addressing

[@thesatinbowebird]

What is the point of that though? Are you so desperate for eggs that you need a couple a week? Why not just leave them be? Why do we always feel the need to take from animals and that they should give us something for our care?

[@YoungMule]

I see where you’re coming from. I’d love to get more insight on your opinion. I’m asking this question from an ethical point of view not from a practical one. There could be infinite answers to your question as to why you would even eat eggs. I’m asking whether or not this approach is ethical or not not whether or not I should do it.

[@thesatinbowebird]

@@YoungMule too many people see animals as biological vending machines and it's very sad. If the hen can eat that egg to regain some nutrients lost in its creation then let it. I mean, it's a birds period that would turn into a baby if fertilised. It's all a bit gross isn't it? When we have cats and dogs, we don't expect them to hunt for us every day. Even if a cat brings in a dead bird, we don't automatically chuck that bird in the oven do we? Yet an egg comes out of the bum/vagina of a bird and we can't get enough of them!

[@YoungMule]

James Ratcliff everything becomes a bit absurd once you spell it out. Why should we not afford the same sacred protection for all of life, plants included? I know the answer will be something along the lines of “they’re not intelligent/conscious “ but can we really say that so easily?

[@thesatinbowebird]

@@YoungMule of course you should respect all of nature, including plants. I spend my work life trying to protect native Australian plants. We still have to eat something though. Luckily plants don't feel pain and are not sentient otherwise vegans would be in a very tricky situation! It's obvious that pulling up a carrot and shooting a cow are 2 very different things

[@josesuokas217]

the chicken is already in the world and you can give it a good life and give it nutrients. i think eggs are 100% vegan.

[@wooperdatrooper9171]

Exactly

[@SSStofu008]

Nope the best thing is to feed back the eggs or give the chip

[@signaturepurple6302]

I keep my 6 chickens as pets who are given attention and affection all the time they all have names and personalities, my chickens aren’t regular hens they are a mixture of silkies and various bantams, non of my chickens lay anymore than 100 eggs a year mostly less that 40 however. I’ve had no health issues with them and they have a variety of different health foods, they also have a predator free o.5 acres of land to graze and play on and a huge coop to sleep and feel safe in. I don’t eat all of my chickens eggs and I do sometimes feed the eggs and shells back to them but what is wrong with me eating some of the eggs? I don’t keep them for the eggs and if they didn’t lay eggs I’d still care and love them the same. So why can’t I eat the eggs?

[@thegrandnil764]

The chikens out here in the boonies dont have fences, no real enclosures, people just provide a safe place, maybe a dog in the front yard that also isn't fenced in. The relationship is more mutual, even if its less safe for the animal.

[@kayleemarie1901]

@rambunctiousvegetable I work at a family friend’s farm and they have backyard hens. They don’t “forcefully” steal the eggs. After a while of sitting on their eggs the girls leave them alone. They don’t care that much after honestly a short period of time

[@gabriellec5962]

Many hen owners also consider them to be pets and treat them as such. I understand your argument but there are also many caring hen owners in the world too. My mother in law has free-range chickens that get to roam the whole property and they are fed very well (not just pellet feed but also their eggshells for calcium boost, and fresh veggie/fruit scraps.) She does collect eggs from them daily, but she does not cull her old hens that stop laying. She lets them live out their lives happily. In fact, majority of her chooks are old and have stopped laying. The chickens also have nests around the property in different places where they get to keep a few eggs to themselves..their instinct to be broody isn’t always consistent though so many times the eggs will rot, if they are not found. So these chickens have their freedom, keep some eggs, give some eggs, and are well cared for. Healthy, happy, symbiotic relationships between animal and man are possible :)

[@trishpoppenberg9989]

That is what they naturally do. Lay eggs. As a plant based eater does I can't see what ppl who raise hens who don't kill them is the problem. The world is not perfect but as long as the hens are happy and not stressed in what they do then what is the prob. Our hens when growing up had a good life. Not raised in a horrible cage. Cannalimisim a never!!! Always felt safe. Feed and sheltered. I'm a realist and not an extremist. No I do not eat eggs anymore because of choice because no more back yard rearing. Love my diet and feel good about myself not eating poor defenceless animal byproducts. 🥦🍄🥝🥑

[@cancelled_user]

"I can't see what ppl who raise hens who don't kill them is the problem. " Re-watch the video. Hens would never lay eggs multiple times per week, every single week, if they weren't selectively bred for that. Same as women don't give birth to 40-50 children during their lifetime, although it might be hypothetically possible, if we breed new kind of women who would only serve as birth-machines. The impact on their bodies would be very very bad though.

[@welcomeback2mychannel]

Did you even watch the video??

[@ellielouisecrockett9197]

I’m so happy this video has came out! As a vegan I’ve been asked this question many times and I didn’t see a problem with it at first - because I didn’t think it would add to the problem. I love your videos as they’re so educational! Thank you!

[@Deniz55995]

Don't go Vegan it a trap Go Meat it Good 🍖🍗🥩👍🏿

[@samtheman7860]

@@Deniz55995 you're not convincing anyone buddy

[@Deniz55995]

@@samtheman7860 your not a man only if you eat Meat

[@samtheman7860]

@@Deniz55995 that's the most childish thing I've ever heard

[@Deniz55995]

@@samtheman7860 you are not a Man Enough to eat meat Every time you see McDonalds you start crying as a baby

[@matthewevans6171]

A lot of vegans don't because they like the vegan label, they like to be in "club vegan". Eggs from our 100% free range hens are the only animal product my partner eats because she knows that they are from happy, free birds who forage, mate, socialise, chase the ducks and cat, and generally do whatever they please. I think a lot of people blindly stick to their "label" without actually stopping to think about how they really feel about something. There are no rules, it's about doing what you're happy with as an individual. Just my opinion of course 🙂

[@FlaminPigz7]

Good video, makes me think. I suspect that we may be able to avoid its critiques by doing the following: 1. Treat your chickens as pets first. Don’t kill them if they stop laying eggs or for trivial reasons. 2. Get a breed of chicken that doesn’t lay as many eggs. 3. Don’t take their eggs away while they are guarding them. 4. Share some of their eggs with them.

[@crescentwerewolf350]

Theres one exception imo and it's when chickens become broody to their own detriment. Some hen's will stay on eggs for an exceptionally long time, well after their incubation period. It can be dangerous at that point. So there are methods to help them out of being broody.

[@JacWarner]

@@crescentwerewolf350 thank you for your comment. I have 4 chickens. One of them- Bill Potts her name is- goes broody often, and I deal with it. Chicken prison I’m afraid, because yes. She doesn’t eat or drink enough to stay healthy. So letting chickens stay on their eggs with no rooster in situ is not a kind option. I am vegetarian and my girls get most of their eggs fed back to them. I have no qualms about sharing the eggs with my family.

[@JacWarner]

My

[@obama_man9933]

Why not own the ones that lay more eggs, they’ll still be alive wether you own them or not

[@theshumsshowforfun2.051]

Vegans are against farming eggs no matter how moral or ethical it is and they would deem it as commodification but what about other similar problems like forced male circumcision done without any medical reasoning. Most people do it for cosmetic purposes and never medical reasons (such as cancer) and its easier to clean the prepuce and avoid getting diseases in the first place. People would circumcise so they could profit the prepuce for other things like beauty and other products. And what’s the difference between circumcising a non consenting male infant compared to performing castration on livestock (cutting tails, tagging) both are done without anesthesia

[@ozbandit]

Can't argue with your points, succinctly put, well done.

[@DominionMovementDotOrg]

this video needs to be shared now more than ever

[@linas_journey_]

This video means so so so much to me, You have no idea. The hens we rescued, are eating their own eggs and I was always wondering why are they doing this. How didn’t this come in my mind earlier, I have no idea

[@RawVeganAthleteAndreas]

I think most people don`t realize in general that animal products are not good for your health on longterm....why also include them into your diet?^^

[@RyanTheCreator]

@Esmae Dolman Ok thanks for using science and facts to prove that. Funnily enough, the facts actually prove veganism is healthy and has things like no cholestrol. Just do the research.

[@martok2008]

Because it's still easier and chepear to eat already prepared meals, and in many places of the world eating a good/balanced vegan/vegetarian diet takes more effort and planning than eating anything anywhere, fast. The healthy part, while generally true that eating more plants is better, there are many things to still be researched and debated. People have different genetic/health profiles, and most nutritional science and conclusions towards vegetarianism being healthier come from recent research, and the research itself it's not 100% conclusive.

[@scribblefightschannel1587]

I board chickens and ducks, always collect the eggs as the owners are always fine with it. If I left their eggs it could attract flies which could then harm the other animals I board. Furthermore if for example I give their eggs to my sister/friend/whoever then those eggs are replacing eggs from shops,

[@donodony3868]

All of your videos I've seen have struck a chord with me. But I don't think this was a very strong argument. I grew up with hens, they roamed our yard and sifted through our compost (containing their egg shells) then layed an egg about once every month that we ate. We didn't even have a fence they just walked wherever they wanted and always came back at night to sleep in our tree. Who's to say a dog would rather be domesticated and genetically modified to live with humans. We have obviously exploited them for their company devoid of there choice. No one needs to own a dog. You own one because you like dogs. That moral line between exploiting an animal and living symbiotically isn't clear cut and I think this video highlights it perfectly.

[@infinitykitty1250]

That sounds really dangerous to just let them roam all over the yard though. A predator could’ve easily got them. Did you have any kind of house/safe zone for them to stay?

[@donodony3868]

@@infinitykitty1250 One, I think It's easy to argue against something if it's not safe, but life's more complicated. Would we rather them be cage on behave of their safety over their freedom? I feel that goes against the principal of veganism, the animal is not our possession, why should we cage and protect them, they're animals. We provided food and shelter for them, and let them roam freely at the expense of predators. Two, yes sometimes a dog would get loose from their owner and eat one of our chickens. It happened a few times. Is it the dogs fault, is it our fault, is it the owner fault? Would the owner of fed the dog a chicken when he got home anyway? Life is complicated, sometimes adversity happens. This is life. Morality isn't curtain.

[@ZombieFruit842]

I'm not sure about in other countrys but the chicken my family have chickens and alot of neighbours do too. Never heard of poeple killing chicken because they eat Thier own eggs tho, and most poeple I know treat Thier chickens like children, like cooking up left overs and giving them treats. Apart from that I like your videos, not vegan but I am very concious about where my money goes to supporting poeple.

[@xDanoss318x]

Are you familiar with the concept of regenerative agriculture? It aims at storing Carbon in the soil, reducing water usage, and pesticide/fungicide/herbicide inputs while also increasing production. (i.e. needing less land for the same production) There are some great talks about this topic. If you want to learn more I would suggest you listen to a talk by Gabe Brown. He is one of the leading farmers in this movement. All though a lot of regenerative farmers use animals, it is also possible without animals at all with something like the Johnson Su Bioreactor Compost. PS: Animals are used because holistic grazing done right is good for the soil, increases biological activity in the soil (Through gut microbes of the cattle), and thus increase biodiversity and helps store carbon in the soil. That's how the soils where build in the past, by wild animals and vegetation. Just wanted to explain this real quick.

[@xDanoss318x]

Jonah Whale Is that like bokashi? Also, the compost you produce with the johnson su bioreactor is like EM. Its mostly used as an biological inoculant to get biology startet in degraded soils without relying on grazing cattle to do that.

[@xDanoss318x]

Jonah Whale Interesting. I‘ll look into it. Thanks!

[@IJurman123]

It’s not normal for hens to eat eggs, if they start eating eggs by themselves this only means they lack nutrients in their diet (eg. calcium or other minerals) which they usually compensate by eating rocks, but if they don’t have other choice they’ll eat the egg

[@petermueller69]

Wont they eat eggs if they have enough nutrients by human feeding?

[@IJurman123]

@@petermueller69 If they have enough nutrients by human feeding, they won’t eat eggs unless it’s broken or if you give them a broken one, but thats normal for chicken they eat everyihing you give them even if it’s a carcass of another chicken, a mouse, snake, worms, rotten food you didn’t eat, just everything, even if you give them your wedding ring (and they somehow mistake it for food) maybe it’s unbelievable but be sure that if you ever lose your wedding ring or an earring in the chicken coop, you won’t find it ever again, or if you’re really lucky you’ll find only some small pieces that were not digested

[@petermueller69]

​@@IJurman123 okay so its ethical to take the eggs as long as i provide them all the nutrients they need

[@IJurman123]

@@petermueller69 In my opinion it is... because if you don’t take the eggs, they would go to waste anyway, just don’t take the eggs if the hen wants to hatch them, when this happens you’ll know it as her behavior will change (this happens once a year depending on the hen)...all this of course if you also have a rooster, if there is no rooster you can take all the eggs, even if the hen wants to hatch them (this normally shouldn’t happen) if this even happens, trust me its better for the hen if you take the eggs as she will get disappointed when the eggs don’t hatch, plus in that case you’ll have to forcefully take the rotten eggs from her anyway (which can lead to potential trauma if you look at it this way)...

[@petermueller69]

@@IJurman123 uff okay interesting hahah thank you man

[@floralia1909]

To fix the calcium problem people can just save the eggshells, grind them up and feed them back to the chickens.

[@VeganWellnessTribe]

Thank you for coming into your role as an educator. You provide so much value.

[@aliciasoto3390]

I had chickens. We first bought the chickens for pets. When they were old enough they started producing eggs. So at first we did eat there eggs, I was so uneducated about this at the time. We stopped eating there eggs cuz we just didnt want to eat the eggs from our chickens anymore. So I would often just feed them there own eggs which I now know was a good decision. And we continued this for a long time. They were our pets and friends. I would make diapers out of socks for them and they would sleep in my room at night. They died about a year ago and I miss them so so so much. Seeing this video made me happy knowing that I stopped eating my chickens eggs and I fed them it.

[@grzegorz16100]

🤦

[@daniellaportal2021]

Exactly! No one can have a "pet" chicken if they're being used as a commodity.

[@ramenyoun501]

Ikr it's truly disturbing!

[@marley7659]

@Cezarr They are kept mostly for selfish reasons such as loneliness. However due to domestication of many animals. Many find themselves in a vulnerable state where they cannot live in the wild without causing destruction to it or themselves. I think in the case of pet's and farm animals. All of them should be not be bred back into existence. We need to phase out the presence of domesticated animals and establish areas in the world where they can live in the wild. Domestic cats are a big pest when it comes to the attacking all the native birds and small mammals. Domestic dogs have their own issues when placed in the wild without pedation. Raising vulnerable predatory animal populations back to stable numbers would be key to having a predator-prey cycle being established once more. We need to get rid of breeding programs for profit.

[@Belowski69]

@Southy Have you seen the video and the problems that come with it?

[@Belowski69]

​@Southy Well if there actually is a way to get the eggs, without hurting the chickens then all power to you. And also dont kill them once they stop doing it. I personally dont like the idea of eating something that another being popped out, but again if you can do it without hurting them or indagering their lifes in anyway, then all power to you. However I doubt it.

[@xsilentmelodiesx]

@@Belowski69 My hens don't lay eggs every day. They were bred by myself - I've kept every male i've ever bred. I've never killed a chicken. You have to remove eggs from coupes as they rot and attract predators. Feeding eggs back to hens can actually cause health problems and behavioural problems. Shells are fine to feed back - eggs? not so much. As long as the hens aren't acquired from breeders who kill males, and aren't breeds that have been selectively bred to overproduce eggs, then there is literally no problem. Most chicken feeds supply the chickens with enough nutrients to sustain them when they're laying eggs.

[@2nd3rd1st]

⚠ANIMAL ABUSE and CRUELTY WARNING ⚠ This video contains sudden scenes of chickens about to be killed and being abused. Watch at your own discretion.

[@AlecElizabethYukii301]

I'm struggling to agree with this one. Especially since majority of backyard chickens are actually rescue battery hens. You can love and cate for an animal and still consume the product that it's going to produce regardless. I also agree that you can still eat hens eggs AND feed them back to them etc. We cant un-selectively breed hens, not for a long time. But we can give them safe and caring homes in our gardens as opposed to being culled by the industry. I plan to rescue some silkie chickens to add to my household, not just for me but for my dog and cat too, who love egg in their natural raw diet. As vegans we should be giving our pets the natural things that they need, and compassion. As a vegan, and a pet owner i KNOW i can have perfectly happy and enriched chickens in my care, and still use their eggs.

[@oddvegan9797]

Yes, but I think (one of the) points of the video is that some people who have backyard chickens kill them once they stop laying eggs, because they're deemed as "useless".

[@alexandrakershner4463]

I think there can exist a middle ground where you want hens for their eggs, and also commit to caring for them outside of what they produce. Idk, I think there are many ways to care for our animals while also enjoying what they produce. I think what is important is being realistic with people who want hens for their eggs to understand that ultimately, you will be enjoying eggs for a little, and during their entire lives you have a wonderful pet with a fun personality and quirky family.

[@gillianstephenson2838]

A natural tomato also like kills people because it was still a toxic nightshade. Everything that humans have cultivated has altered it. Thats literally all of what agriculture has been. People can still have a middle ground like OP mentioned just not your choice it sounds like.

[@timothyvanpelt_cyclist]

Exactly what I was thinking. I'm more convinced by the arguments against meat and dairy. But yeah, the selective breeding has led to problems for the hens. Taking measures to make them lay less eggs and supporting them for now with the right (perhaps calcium fortified) foods would be great. While doing this and hopefully getting to a healthier hen, and enjoy having them for "who they are", I don't see a problem also enjoying their eggs.

[@EmmaShadyLilly]

I have chicken from people who didn't want them anymore. The oldest hen is 8 years old and doesn't lay eggs, she will die a natural death. I don't eat much eggs, so most of them are fed back to the hens or to my dogs. I use the manure for my garden. Once I kept a weak hen in winter below freezing point at night in my bathtub. I am not a vegan (yet).

[@likira111]

You're missing pet chicken breeds, not all chicken breeds lay the same amount of eggs and most people who own pet chickens get them from other people with pet chickens, not the egg industry. This is especially true with breeds such as silkies which have little "commercial" use but are known for their nice temper.

[@GaiaNeh1013]

This I why I don't like these extreme vegans. Very bias and narrow views that make it all black and white and eating certain things is EVIL. I wonder how people are going to feel about eating eggs when a great depression hits and their vegan chips are no longer available in the store.

[@antoniakern884]

I love your videos and EVERYTHING you do so much u don't even know. Idk where i'd be without you and a lot of other people probably feel that way too. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! ❤

[@hannahrose2939]

It looks like a lot of the videos of chickens without feathers, are really just moulting chickens. Not chickens losing nutrients by laying eggs. Their feed should include nutrients including calcium (egg shell pieces are common). The moulting process is a totally natural cycle that they go thru and it happens seasonally >>> where they loose feathers and stop laying eggs.

[@butterfingers4149]

I’m vegan I’ve had backyard chickens for years but they’re family, I have never eaten their eggs.

[@niijigod3864]

Good

[@yupman95]

What happens to the eggs? Do you just throw them out?

[@rapprenee]

Sean Creed did you even watch the video?

[@kogbechie123]

@@yupman95 watch the darn video!

[@yupman95]

I was replying to @butterfingers

[@rorywilliams8187]

My (vegetarian) family has backyard chickens and one of our chickens got egg bound and died :( My mom tried to take her to the vet but they wouldn’t treat her, only put her down because that was the only service they provided while there was a chicken disease going around at the time. At least they just gave her a euthanasia shot and weren’t cruel. I really wish I could have convinced my mom to get our hens hormonal implants when I lived with my family. It would have saved our girl Tulip. :(

[@wooperdatrooper9171]

Bro giving them hormonal implants is like neutering them it’s way more cruel and it’s so easy to tell a eggbound chiken and treat it as long as you actually look at them

[@MarS-el7kq]

But 30-40 years ago my grandmother had chickens in her home and chickens used to produce eggs daily without any outside force.

[@robertcullen8974]

Hi. Do you have some evidence that hens that are fed their own eggs are healthier than other, properly fed hens?

[@NotHumant8727]

what better food in calcium than egg that is laying around, that came out of being that had to put an effort and pain to make it, and so many? At least they get something back directly, at least something out of human exploitation.

[@robertcullen8974]

It might make you feel better to feed a chicken it’s own egg rather than properly balanced feed, but it makes no difference at all to the chicken. It doesn’t know it’s being ‘exploited’ by someone eating its eggs.

[@KaptainKastle]

OK, first time I've ever disagreed with one of Ed's videos. I'm a vegan and I eat the eggs from my 69 rescued hens. The hens I rescue would be killed because they are injured or are too weak to be productive to the farm. I visit the farm once a week and with the farmer's permission I remove any hens that he feels would be destined for destruction. The hens are kept in a safe and clean country environment. I feed the hens natural limestone which helps to replace the calcium they have lost. I had two hens tested last year and the calcium levels are normal. Giving them a hormone to stop them producing eggs would be giving the anima pain unnecessarily. Instead I replace the eggs they lay with a ceramic or plastic replica which usually helps to prevent the hen laying another for at least another 5 days or so. It's also more hygienic and keeps away opportunistic predators like foxes etc. Yes I eat the eggs but what else would you have me do with them? I don't sell them or profit from them. I still feel I'm vegan. If the hens stop laying eggs (21 of them don't lay anything) then they can still live out their lives for an long as possible.

[@thesuperiorman8342]

Goodness me you're such a good person. I wish we clone people like you.

[@skedi33]

Would be interesting to know what some vegans have to say about that comment

[@KaptainKastle]

@@skedi33 or none vegan. Don't worry, it's free to comment! And you will always have an answer from me

[@KaptainKastle]

@@thesuperiorman8342 thank you, you could do the same, if you have some space. ♥

[@janettjcki]

That is awesome!! I truly believe you did your research and know what’s best for them 😊

[@kristen1463]

Eggs are very healthy for both people and dogs Feed your hens a complete feed and they will get all the nutrients they need. Nothing wrong with using livestock like chickens for a purpose as long as they are not mistreated

[@edyeee2143]

I just don’t see how providing a nice life for a beneficiary species makes it wrong for me to try and extend my life using the byproduct.

[@edyeee2143]

Caramel Cupcake I know it’s not I’m just trying to unlock some sort of neural pathway for humanity. Correct me if I’m wrong but advancements in agriculture and farming is what founded our very biology

[@yn7615]

You are simply great, didn't know this fact, I'll stop consuming it, l am already vegetarian, l dont buy dairy products since found out misery cows live, hens are great mothers , sweet creatures, you are doing a great job educating us, keep it up

[@Tranksdofuturo]

If you give chickens a healthy balanced diet they will NEVER eats their eggs. I have a flock if around 150 chickens and never seen one eating their eggs. Its important to have space and rotate pastures so that they have fresh grass and bugs to eat. I also give a ton of other veggies from the farm, hoister shells and multi vitamin 3 times a year. And I +/- have around 40 eggs in the bad days and 110 eggs in the good days. The flock is already 4 years old and right now they are laying around 90 eggs per day. Yes Im a farmer, Yes its a business but You cant tell me I don't like my animals, that I don't give them a really good life and that what Im doing is bad. Its true, when I see they are not productive enough I will get rid of them and get new animals, but until them I will do my best to give them the best life possible.

[@blu_astra]

I think the point of this video isn't to judge people who consume or sell eggs, it's about explaining why that's incompatible with being vegan. Veganism relies on the belief that humans are equal to any other animal species and since you can't sign contracts with animals if you use animal products you are using them as a commodity. You clearly have a work ethic since you take good care of your hens but they still owe you something and when they can't give it to you, they are killed. This is not to say that you're bad, only that your actions and beliefs are incompatible with veganism.

[@comeshoppingwithme9929]

You brought up a lot of things I hadn't thought of, thank you!

[@fredrickpeters1628]

Yes, cognitive dissidents is fostered for profit.

[@onefordespair]

After finding an egg which had been fertilized and when I broke it there was a chick fetus and a bunch of blood looking back at me, they finally became disgusting and I never wanted one ever again. Later went vegan after seeing slaughterhouse footage and trying some local vegan food. I also am the caretaker of some chickens and while I never eat their eggs, I do harvest their eggs (these hens very obviously have no attachment to the ones they lay; they just leave them all over and never sit on them and of course there are no fertilized ones anyway, cause no roosters) and I donate the ones my mom doesn't eat to the local food banks.

[@ethancorney9129]

Wait, people kill their backyard hens??? We have some chickens that maybe lay eggs every few months, just as pets cos they're beautiful creatures.

[@practicalpisces]

Because I don't view chickens as commodities. They aren't here to provide us with a service. Those eggs would be better used fed to the chickens themselves or to wildlife.

[@lography6917]

@Esmae Dolman Wildlife meaning non-human animals that actually need to sometimes eat other animals to survive, making eggs from hens part of an open ecological system, whereas humans can and obviously do (all vegans here) survive without the need of eating any animal products, so no.

[@flytrapYTP]

@Esmae Dolmanmalnutrition is only a problem if you don't plan your diet properly.

[@barco111]

@Esmae Dolman learn some basic nutrition u nob

[@barco111]

Ex vegan stories are anecdotal with is a fallacy

[@kenvisvielgern4436]

@@lography6917 Vegans require supplements on a daily basis because it's an artificial diet. Veganism is a fraud.

[@Feds_the_Freds]

Hey Ed, Great video as always! I still feel a bit differently: I am vegan, all familymembers but my father in our family are vegan. We rescue chicken and well, they lay eggs, too many eggs... We do sell most of their eggs and our father eats some. We don't do this for profit, but to rescue them, we tried to crack some eggs and gave them to the chicken, but they weren't eating them. We reason, that we feed them well enough, that they don't need the eggs*, so we figure that we can sell the eggs to people that would eat eggs anyways and it's better, if they eat the eggs from "our" chicken than if they would buy eggs from the supermarket. Don't misunderstand: If there wouldn't be such a cruel institution, we wouldn't do this. And we get as much money as it costs to feed and house the chicken, so we really don't want to profit from them. What philosophical reasoning did we get wrong? We have some older chicken and they only lay about a egg every two weeks, so the older they get, the less we have to wonder, what to do with all those eggs, we would kinda prefer, if they wouldn't lay eggs. What hormonal syringe is that thing you mentioned, is that really save and most importantly...vegan? *They don't have osteoporosis and are healthy in general, we had some problems with mites and martes. But in general they are healthy.

[@ukkiesc5087]

I have some VERY minor points to think about: With selling eggs, do you justify to the people buying these eggs, that buying eggs is fine? As a result these people can start to think that all eggs are fine to buy, and increase their egg consumption (including factory farmed eggs) Hens are known to lay fewer eggs if their eggs are not taken away from them. So if you do take away the eggs, they might be inclined to produce more eggs, putting more stress on their bodies. Honestly, I think this is up to your own morality/opinion on the subject

[@Feds_the_Freds]

@@ukkiesc5087 Oh lol, just saw this, as I watched this video again for some reason. Right now, we don't have any chicken anymore, as we're building something, but we think to rescue some again after that's finished. We actually let them sit on the eggs for a few days, but at some point, they sat on like 10 eggs or so at the same time, so we took them away then. Again: I rather have non-vegans eat these eggs than eggs from a supermarket, is my thought process. But we did only sell them to colleagues who know, that we are vegan and that it would be better, if they became vegan too. But well, you know how some non-vegans act... Most of them actually still bought other eggs too, as they just eat so much f*cking eggs, so of course we tell them, it would be better if they wouldn't eat so much eggs, but yeah... And to be honest, it's really a point that I'm conflicted on - Is it better to rescue chicken or let them die? There are so many things that can be considered wrong by rescuing them, but I think overall it's better. What annoys me, is my own reasoning sometimes: I'm really emotionless about everything, so also when some of our chicken die, I really don't know at this point, if they have a good life with us or not. And most of the time, we just rescued other hens as if nothing happened - like, there is always something idiotic, that could happen, so that some chicken die. And when they do, we just rescued new ones as if nothing happened. Emotionally it feels so weird, like - "it doesn't matter if they die, we can just rescue new ones. Why should the ones that get shredded now not get saved? They were lucky to spend some time free from the tight space on the farm and now it's time for other chicken to get this aswell, as we can accomadate new chicken after the old ones died" some really emotionless stuff... And I don't want to be emotionless, I do want to care, I do tink it's sad if they die, but it literally doesn't matter in this crazy f*cked up world. There's always new chocken to recue. But do we really recue them? Is it better, if they die in our garden or is it better to just completely ignore it and rescue none, as we can't really decide over them. Maybe they wanna die after that life on the farm... I donno - of course probably, I'm projecting too much into the chicken, but do we have the moral right to "rescue them"? And with other people, what to they think about our eggs, do they think, "they do the best they can?" or do they realize that we actually rather want tem to be vegan? I donno...

[@Martinlee91]

I personally don't see any problem in eating backyard eggs. They will lay eggs no matter what, we are not forcing them, unlike the industrial ones. They can still live a happy and healthy life and if they stop laying eggs you don't have to kill them. Chicken may eat their eggs only if they are malnourished. Human beings are a ressource too and that doesn't neccesarily imply they are suffering and are being exploited, although it's certainly possible (slavery).

[@Martinlee91]

@Jonah Whale I'm talking about domestic eggs that are not part of the industry. Chicken is even weaker and stupefied in the wild too, easy prey to predators. what's wrong in providing them shelter and food? exploitation? I would call it mutual benefit. And no I don't eat animals.

[@thecreativefamily7291]

I have 4 hens I love them they lay eggs and , yesterday one egg had a soft shell and now I know it’s because of the calcium deficiency and now I know to feed them there eggs sometimes to make them healthier 🤞🏼👍🏼😉

[@chargerfish1]

My parents have chickens that lay eggs everyday that we eat. Some have lived over 8 years. They have great lives, they free range around the yard during the day and at night they get locked up in a nice large coupe to protect them from predators. my mom even goes outside and drinks wine, holds them and talks to them 😆

[@lamismalunayoga3110]

If you were interested in rescuing factory farmed "livestock" how do you find the animals? Do you contact the farms directly to try to intervene before they're "culled"?

[@fredrickpeters1628]

Many rescues near me come from neglect cases where the Humane Society has intervened. These birds can't survive in the wild because of how we have bred them. They do make wonderful companions.