Study to decide if caged chickens are happy
Associated Press
Posted: November 19, 2009
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Are cramped chickens crazy chickens?
"Researchers are trying to answer that question through several studies that intend to take emotions out of an angry debate between animal welfare groups and producers.
Peter Skewes, a Clemson University researcher, is leading one of the studies comparing how different housing affects egg-laying hens. Skewes will compare emotional and behavioral patterns of caged hens with non-caged counterparts. Part of that will including studying behaviors such as wing-stretching, perching and foraging.
"We're looking at what ... things they would still do if given the opportunity," Skewes said. "So you deprive them of that, and the welfare component is, so what? There are difficult questions.""
Seriously? Good grief.
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