Thread by @Sentient_Media

June 3 is #NationalEggDay. We honor today by taking a close look at the environmental, ethical, and health impacts of poultry farming and highlighting ways to help hens raised for their #eggs. 1/13

Studies show that #chickens are socially complex beings capable of self-control and empathy.

Despite their proven sentience, the #poultry industry raises billions of chickens for their meat and eggs every year. @JenMishler reports. 2/13
sentientmedia.org/are-chickens-s…

Before the 1920s, #chickens were thought of as smart and industrious.

When chickens became the first factory-farmed animal in the world, #chicken representation in the media evolved to justify their treatment within farms. @LillieGardner reports. 3/13
sentientmedia.org/how-pop-cultur…

Today, 95% of #eggs in the US come from chickens confined in battery cages.

These #chickens cannot participate in many natural behaviors such as dust-bathing, foraging, roosting, and bone maintenance, which often results in severe health problems. 4/13
sentientmedia.org/egg-production/

Standard practices used by #egg producers include:

- debeaking chicks without pain medication
- starving hens to increase their productivity
- killing male chicks
- intensive selective breeding to increase the number of eggs hens lay

5/13
sentientmedia.org/egg-industry/

Most chickens raised for #eggs spend their lives on farms that provide ideal conditions for bacteria such as E. coli and #Salmonella.

Farmers respond by treating birds with antibiotics, a practice that contributes to antimicrobial resistance. 6/13 sentientmedia.org/egg-farming/

Since #BirdFlu was detected in the US in January this year, over 37 million captive and wild birds across 36 states have been exposed to the virus.

The outbreak also affects #egg-laying facilities and has resulted in entire flocks being culled. 7/13
sentientmedia.org/latest-updates…

Eggs produced in #FreeRange settings are often portrayed as more humane, however, all forms of #egg production involve the slaughter of hens and chicks.

@JessLReid reports on the phrase ‘farm-to-table’ being co-opted by meat, dairy and egg producers. 8/13
sentientmedia.org/how-farm-to-ta…

A @faunalytics analysis identifies products that could have the greatest impact for animals in the US if they were replaced with animal-free alternatives.

Scrambled #eggs and omelets rank as #1 when it comes to reducing days of suffering. 9/13
faunalytics.org/animal-product…

There are many #PlantBased alternatives for those who want to reduce their egg consumption.

@veganoutreach has compiled a guide that shows how #eggs can be replaced with ingredients such as tofu, flaxseed, and applesauce in baking. 10/13
veganoutreach.org/india-vegan-al…

There is also a range of #PlantBased egg alternatives available in stores that can be used in cooking.

Companies such as @justegg, @FollowYourHeart, @TheVegg, @BobsRedMill, and @ener_gfoods offer egg scramble and egg yolk alternatives. 11/13
theveganatlas.com/vegan-egg-subs…

Many egg-laying hens are eventually sent to slaughter, but some are rescued by animal sanctuaries.

The Berkeley-based micro-sanctuary Hens of the Hills provides a home for #chickens rescued from a range of environments, including #egg farms. 12/13

At Sentient Media, we report fact-led information on the underreported impacts of #AnimalAgriculture.

On #NationalEggDay, help us continue our reporting on poultry farming and other food system issues by supporting our spring drive👇13/13
sentientmedia.org/join-sentient-…