Hugh's Chicken Run, etc.

I used to really love meat, but I saw this documentary about not only how factory-farmed animals were raised and killed, but also the same with free-range animals. In the end, how they were raised didn't matter: all the animals--no matter how simple or smart--were terrified as they were on their way to slaughter and being driven up or down a ramp for it to happen. That was enough for me.

I know it's not quite the same as meat, but there are some amazingly good meat substitutes out there, if you're only inclined to look.

I use those sometimes but they don't work for everything. I won't use veggie mince in a lasagna again, doesn't really go with the bechamel sauce somehow.

I don't know anything about the shows, but...

I'm not sure if I'm just not really noticing it in the US, but it does seem like the UK is more ahead of the US on the humane treatment of animals, and trying to make it easier for vegetarians. Free range eggs seem to be common place there, at least what I saw.

I have a vegetarian student, and when I brought back some treats for the class, she loved that the UK puts a "suitable for vegetarian" label on those foods.

I do like meat, so I don't see myself going vegetarian, although I am trying to include some meat-free meals in our menus. I would like to buy organic if I could afford it.

started watching this last night, but went to bed halfway through.

what a hypocrite hugh fearnley-whateverhisnameis is!

he couldn't find a factory farmer to let him film, so he decides to create his own battery, making a miserable life for 2,500 more chickens. how does this add up?

i understand that he's trying to raise awareness about the conditions of factory chicken farming, but FFS, he could've hired a video from PETA to show people the conditions they're raised in rather than becoming part of it himself.

I have just come back from Tunisia and some things I learned about their economy was very interesting. 

It is a closed economy, meaning they don't import any goods that can be produced within their own country and also, no exporting goods that they need within their own country. 

So their diet follows the seasons, meat is expensive so they don't eat a lot of meat but what they do eat, is produced in tunisia.  They pay the farmers a good wage so that the farmers can afford to farm.  They put eggs in almost everything. 

And olives. Lots and lots and lots of olives. 

The tunisians are very proud of the fact that their economy supports their own people, rather than trying to compete in the world economy.  I think we can learn some things from this...

considering Jamie O. doesn't seem that concerned about how other animals used for meat (especially calves/veal) are treated, I think he's just out to make more pounds for hosting a TV show.

I disagree. I think you have to start somewhere, and chickens are a good place to start because so many people eat them - far more than eat veal! HFW also pointed out that part of the issue with chicken is the big chains insisting on doing things like 2 for a fiver offers. And like it or not, the farmers are at the mercy of whoever will buy their product.... I started to watch the HFW one last night but it was too much for me and I had to turn it off.

I've always only bought free range chickens but I can tell you this - I won't be buying ready meals, sandwiches, soups, etc. anymore that contain chicken....

Hugh is my god, I LOVE him!  I have all his books.

I watched the show last night and I thought it was really interesting.  Personally I do eat meat but only organic/free range meat.  This usually means I only eat it occasionally because it's expensive but i'd rather eat less good meat than more crap meat.

i understand that he's trying to raise awareness about the conditions of factory chicken farming, but FFS, he could've hired a video from PETA to show people the conditions they're raised in rather than becoming part of it himself.

He probably wanted to show people first hand and see for himself rather than using a very unreliable, and biased PETA source.  PETA videos are just ridiculous and sensationalist.

He probably wanted to show people first hand and see for himself rather than using a very unreliable, and biased PETA source.  PETA videos are just ridiculous and sensationalist.

and what he did wasn't?

Besides, it's not like undercover film, etc hasn't been shown of battery farming. But it's not reaching the public, is it? I can see how this seems hypocritical. But it also strkes me as HFW feeling like he needs to do something extreme to get people to pay attention.

Besides, it's not like undercover film, etc hasn't been shown of battery farming. But it's not reaching the public, is it? I can see how this seems hypocritical. But it also strkes me as HFW feeling like he needs to do something extreme to get people to pay attention.

in that case, i would have preferred if he put jamie oliver in a chicken costume & kept him in a battery

and what he did wasn't?

I don't think so.  He didn't do it for personal profit or gain, just to view firsthand what really happens when other people wouldn't let him see.  He obviously cares about animals and their welfare or he wouldn't do it in the first place, it's not like he's doing it for shits and giggles.

I think it's a good thing but in the end, people are too lazy and just don't care about animals when they can get two crappy wishy washy chickens for £5, as evidenced by the people getting really into the chicken farming on the allotment yet still buying the cheap chickens.

in that case, i would have preferred if he put jamie oliver in a chicken costume & kept him in a battery

Now there's an idea!!!

The proof will be in the pudding, won't it? If this show has any impact on how people buy chicken is the battery experiment worth it? In my mind yes, but I'm not a vegetarian. I think people are way too complacent and need shocking. God knows the supermarkets aren't going to change of their own accord.

Unfortunately I don't think it will work. I think it will go over like a lead balloon. Just look at all of the parents (light use of term) who were delivering McDonald's to their kids when Jamie O's healthy school dinner thing was going on.... I just don't think most of the population gives a damn about where their food comes from. They just want it to be cheap and accessible. And they don't want to have to think about it.... 

Unfortunately I don't think it will work. I think it will go over like a lead balloon. Just look at all of the parents (light use of term) who were delivering McDonald's to their kids when Jamie O's healthy school dinner thing was going on.... I just don't think most of the population gives a damn about where their food comes from. They just want it to be cheap and accessible. And they don't want to have to think about it.... 

So true, it's like anything else which shocks people.  They get outraged about it for a day or two until it's time to go shopping again.  I think unless it has a direct negative effect on most people or there is mass hysteria, they just don't care.