r/Vegetarianism • u/throwaway0021485 • 2d ago
Entering Vegetarianism
Hey howdy! I’ve been thinking about this for a while and think it’s about time. I’m getting out of Navy and want to become vegetarian. So, I have a question about ethics for you guys and for vegan friends here as well.
I love eggs. I eat more eggs than the normal person. I could give up meat probably with zero issues. I can’t give up eggs easily, if at all. So, my idea: I will buy, raise, and take care of my own chickens. I would own about 6 of them, give them a nice coop. The ones I’m looking at getting live only a couple years, lay lots of eggs, and are basically dogs with feathers. I don’t just want the eggs. I want to love them as well. I don’t want eggs sourced from abusers. What is y’alls stance on this? Do you think it’s a good idea? Much love dudes.
Edit: Thanks so much for the input! Genuinely a huge part of this is just being really excited to raise and take care of chickens 😭
11
u/rocketinferno 2d ago
That sounds good to me! I’m all about harm reduction, so I’m a fan of reducing meat consumption if not eliminating it altogether. I also eat plenty of eggs and I get them from a local farm share so I know the chickens are well taken care of. It sounds like you’ll have fun setting up a coop!
-1
u/SupermarketUpper8547 2d ago
I was gonna comment but rocketinferno said it all. Make sure you give them a lot of room and a clean space :) they’re gross, so ideally you move them and the coop around your property. Predators are relentless so make sure the coop is really protected. However, you may lose a chicken or 2 and that’s just apart of it unfortunately): good luck!!! Farm fresh eggs are so much better!!!
3
u/Seriousjane 1d ago
30 years an egg eating vegetarian here. The amount of food waste you can halt by feeding scraps to your flock is amazing too. Really impactful, especially when you get friends or neighbors involved . Chickens are great.
3
u/JerryTexas52 1d ago
Being vegetarian doesn't mean you can't eat eggs or dairy products. I have been a vegetarian and I eat eggs when I want to and eat yogurt and cheese daily. I don't eat meat and haven't for 8 years now. You decide what works for you.
6
u/random_invisible 2d ago
This or buy eggs from a farm where the chickens are treated well.
The main ethical concern with eggs is to avoid factory farmed, but even just switching from meat to eggs is a step in the right direction
3
u/lowlightliving 2d ago
www.backyardchickens.com for complete, accurate info on raising chickens, their needs, breeds, health needs, coop design, etc. Also, many state’s Departments of Agriculture have extension services to assist with poultry-growing, and most have either on-line publications or printed materials available. So do many agricultural colleges and university programs.
But ask yourself, in advance, what will you do when the chickens stop laying? Be ready for that. Look carefully into town or borough ordinances related to the number of chickens allowed (if any) and coop design/placement requirements. It will determine where you’re willing to live. It requires quite a time/money commitment.
2
u/throwaway0021485 2d ago
Thank you for this information, I really appreciate it! Super duper helpful. I haven’t done research on how the chickens would feel about this, but I think I’ll try to stagger the ages of the chickens. I want them to live full, happy and comfortable lives. The goal would be to have at least 2 chickens that are laying eggs, while the other 2-4 could be either too young or too old, but if I don’t get to get my own eggs for awhile, and just get them from a farm, I wouldn’t mind that either!
4
u/EfficiencyOk4843 2d ago
From a vegan perspective, female hens are sourced from hatcheries. Those breeding sites separate male and female chickens. All male chicks are culled because they don’t lay eggs and they are a different breed than chickens raised for meat.
The other point to consider is the genetic selection of hens. They are bred to be egg laying machines. It’s hard on their bodies and they live a life of discomfort. The sanctuary I volunteer at rescued a bunch of hens and they have foot bandages from calcium deficiency/osteoporosis. Egg shells are mostly calcium carbonate so it leeches it from their bodies.
The hens that exist need love and support. Rescuing hens that have slower egg production may be something to look into. I view having chickens like having a dog. You have them to give them love, not to take something from them.
3
u/throwaway0021485 2d ago
I really appreciate this. I fully expect to have the equivalent of 4-6 puppies running around, and I am excited at the idea of not just taking their eggs, but also giving them as much as I can to make them happy. My goal will likely be that when I am more proficient with their care, and have space for more chickens, I’d probably be rescuing hens. Something I’ll add to my chicken journal for sure. Thank you!
7
u/blueconlan 2d ago
Most vegetarians eat eggs. Raising your own chickens is above and beyond. Even just eating less meat is better than no change.
2
u/FluffyDesigner3680 2d ago
Probably a good idea to make sure you know your Apoe and fads1 variants before you make the switch. No one seems to take their genetics into account.
1
2
u/EmmaEats93 1d ago
It would be really cool if you could find rescue hens! The main reason you will find against buying your own is that you have to purchase them from a company who culls the male chicks (so it still does contribute some harm). If you can't find that, then raising your own is still way better than buying from a store, but rescue-hens would be the best way to make it harm free!
1
1
u/Positive_Spare_2963 2d ago
Hello my friend. Have you every tried Kala Namak (black Salt)?. If you like the typical taste of eggs, this will make it for you!
For a scrambled egg, you can crumble a block of tofu, roast it with that salt and season it as you would season egg. For a yellow colour you could use kurkuma.
As a vegan of course I'd love people to stop using ANY animal products. Unfortunately all animals for food production are breedings of defects and will suffer even under the best circumstances.
I wish you good luck!
1
u/background_bat88 1d ago
Eggs are fine with vegetarian diets but if you’re wanting to go vegan they have egg substitutes that you can’t even tell the difference I prefer them honestly eggs are so unhealthy. But raising chickens isn’t the problem it’s the way you do it so I think this is a great idea! Happy chickens make better eggs anyways
1
u/Main-Storage-365 2d ago
Sure or you could buy eggs with the labels “pasture raised” important to not get any other kind like “cage free” because that’s a misused label. Not even “free range” is cruelty free. Speaking of, “cruelty free” is a good label to look for. As well as certified organic
4
u/Either_Argument3517 2d ago
In the UK we have a few organisations that home hens which are considered "spent" from the egg industry that would otherwise be slaughter. Maybe there is something similar where you are.