Easter: ‘Eggs’tra Cruel for Chickens!

Avatar of Whitney-C

Posted April 3, 2012 by Whitney Calk

When I was growing up, I looked forward to Easter for a few reasons: It meant that I could expect a sweet basket of chocolates from the Easter Bunny, that I got an extra day off from school, and that I could dye Easter eggs with my family.

Dyeing eggs was a tradition in my house, and I never thought twice about it—that is, until I found out the truth about where Easter eggs come from.

I know you’re thinking, “DUH, Whitney! Eggs come from hens!” Trust me: There’s a bit more to it than that.

egg laying hens

Did you know that 280 million chickens are used each year for their eggs? Here’s what they go through:

  • At just a few days old, a large portion of each female chick’s beak is cut off with a burning-hot blade and without painkillers. Many birds, unable to eat because of the pain, die from dehydration and weakened immune systems.
  • They are then crammed together in wire cages where they don’t even have enough room to spread their wings. Because the birds are crammed so closely together, these normally clean animals are forced to urinate and defecate on one another.
  • At just 2 years old, most hens are “spent” and shipped to slaughter, generally to be turned into chicken soup or cat or dog food because their flesh is too bruised and battered to be used for much else.
  • Since they can’t produce eggs, more than 100 million male chicks are suffocated, decapitated, crushed, or ground up alive every year.

Dyeing eggs doesn’t seem so fun anymore, does it? And did I mention that, cruelty aside, eggs are nothing more than chicken periods?! Vomit.

Still want to have some eggcellent fun this Easter? Take the cruelty-free route and decorate papier mâché eggs or EggNots—dyeable, ceramic “eggs”—instead!

What are some of your favorite cruelty-free ways to celebrate Easter?

Respond

Comments

Post a Comment

Please log in to comment.

Your email address will not be published.

Connect with Facebook

Your email address will not be published.

Connect with Facebook

Top Commenters

  • Avatar of Whitney-C
    whitney-c

    peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.

  • Avatar of brittyashlee
    brittyashlee

    Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.

  • Avatar of alexblue
  • Avatar of hakred
  • Avatar of stinapopik
    stinapopik

    Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ

  • Avatar of naturegirl
    naturegirl

    I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)

  • Avatar of k1tt3n
  • Avatar of beccabarbiedoll
    beccabarbiedoll

    Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.

  • Avatar of lilyalexadragarcia
    lilyalexadragarcia

    I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!

  • Avatar of riri17
    riri17

    I want to get into marketing but not have to rely on people which have different morals and worldviews than I do to hire me. While I'm figuring this out, I want to show everyone what I believe in and spur them into action against injustices.

  • Avatar of SarahBurkitt
    SarahBurkitt

    Life On A Tour Bus

  • Avatar of AngelaKitten
    AngelaKitten

    I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)

Follow Us