Avian Flu is a disease spread through direct contact with infected wild fowl and their feces. There are many reported cases among large chicken and turkey Confined Area Feeding Operations or CAFOs involving millions of birds being destroyed and now egg rationing.
That being said, I have questions with some theories but no answers about this pandemic of Avian Flu.
1. How do confined, read caged birds kept in large quonset style houses, come in contact with wild fowl or their feces?
2. Why isn't there a corresponding equivalent of Avian Flu cases among organic and backyard flocks, which have a much higher chance of wildlife contact, in these same areas?
Today I read about Price Increases and Egg Rationing in the Washington Post and a Houston station talks about H-E-B Grocery Stores limiting customers to 3 cartons.
All this makes me wonder if this Avian Flu isn't a red herring. California who has seen millions of chickens destroyed, recently enacted legislation requiring larger cages and better living conditions for laying hens. Across the country people are beginning to demand better food, that's healthier, tastier, more nutritious and free of chemicals/pesticides/herbicides and gmo's. Grocery stores have been increasing the amount of organic eggs they stock and at higher prices than the CAFO eggs.
So what happens if millions of these CAFO hens are killed because of Avian Flu? Prices increase, a choke hold is placed on the supply thus creating more demand. The Big Ag poultry CAFO's would basically get a do over. "Let's stock less birds, give them slightly better living conditions (not that they will still ever see daylight or a blade of grass) and charge prices closer to organic eggs... maybe even feed them organic feed and get in on the organic market... " I'd also be willing to bet that there is a corresponding insurance claim for production loss or some sort of government bail out for the egg industry coming right around the corner.
Ironically in the last couple of days I have received a 2nd piece of mail from the USDA on Avian Flu, Biosecurity and Keeping Your Flock Healthy.
1. How do confined, read caged birds kept in large quonset style houses, come in contact with wild fowl or their feces?
2. Why isn't there a corresponding equivalent of Avian Flu cases among organic and backyard flocks, which have a much higher chance of wildlife contact, in these same areas?
Today I read about Price Increases and Egg Rationing in the Washington Post and a Houston station talks about H-E-B Grocery Stores limiting customers to 3 cartons.
All this makes me wonder if this Avian Flu isn't a red herring. California who has seen millions of chickens destroyed, recently enacted legislation requiring larger cages and better living conditions for laying hens. Across the country people are beginning to demand better food, that's healthier, tastier, more nutritious and free of chemicals/pesticides/herbicides and gmo's. Grocery stores have been increasing the amount of organic eggs they stock and at higher prices than the CAFO eggs.
So what happens if millions of these CAFO hens are killed because of Avian Flu? Prices increase, a choke hold is placed on the supply thus creating more demand. The Big Ag poultry CAFO's would basically get a do over. "Let's stock less birds, give them slightly better living conditions (not that they will still ever see daylight or a blade of grass) and charge prices closer to organic eggs... maybe even feed them organic feed and get in on the organic market... " I'd also be willing to bet that there is a corresponding insurance claim for production loss or some sort of government bail out for the egg industry coming right around the corner.
Ironically in the last couple of days I have received a 2nd piece of mail from the USDA on Avian Flu, Biosecurity and Keeping Your Flock Healthy.
Personal Disclaimer***
I have said before and will state it again here for anyone who is unsure of how I feel: I love my Country and hate my government, Big Ag and Big Pharma. I do not believe nor do I trust them. You can call me paranoid, I prefer the term cautiously curious. Though, they were the reason that I began keeping organic chickens and growing my own organic food. For that I am grateful.
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