Vegan is not the answer

OK, in my exploration and adventure with chickens I discovered that I am unwilling to do the necessary killing to maintain acceptable flock size and health. In addition, the so called organic dairy products do not come from animals that have been kept humanly and environmentally sound. No, I don't provide references, just take a little time and check it out for yourself.

So that leaves vegan ... which is where I seem to be headed?

So the investigation begins and then I read about all the animals (rodents mostly) that get killed during the harvesting of the grains planted for the vegan diet (decimated 50 -80 % during harvest) and things like the rain forest deforestation and extermination of the Orang Utan for palm oil. So the recommended fat in one of the recommended vegan recipes of the local Animal Sanctuary, required vegan to volunteer, contains palm fruit ...and they get that differently from palm oil? Gimme a break.

So I am slowly coming to: if foods have to be transported many many miles and cross continent and to be raised as mono-cultures so veganism is an option: that is NOT environmentally sane, sustainable or humane for a LOT of the animals.

It appears that in the end, the best way is to grow my own - and get what is locally available. And coconuts just are not around here, and there is no source for palm oil close by. Almonds are, and walnuts - and a few other things. In order to grow locally - animals on the land can be extremely beneficial and may prove to be NECESSARY in the long term for soil fertility and pest control, and that leads to: working with animals - which necessarily, at some point or another, will lead to management  - ie culling, which is the elimination from a flock, usually understood by killing, of an animal, which will then be used for food.

Given the need of human bodies for fats and oils - and the non availability of certain oils (fish and the nut tree oils locally) - this will mean animal fats most likely, either from hunting or from farming.

And so, if there is true and real necessity - I might agree to manage the flock by killing and even consume meat/animal fats.

Until such time, I won't be killing the birds - in fact, my heart hurts each time I have to pick some of the buff catalana cockerels to be culled - too much crowing for the neighbors and no place to go (I think they need to move into a retirement community - not stay in a fully agricultural zoning area). The place of the rooster's death is one of the most peaceful I have sensed, they will be prayed for, and the process is as humane as it can be - and still, it is the taking of a beautiful life - and I cry. They are just starting to trust me.

I will grow things, use some grains, eat the local nuts for oils and for the moment, I already have the hens for some eggs. Maybe it can be done small scale .... but what are those in cities to do? I really think ALL lawns need to be converted. Nut trees ought to be planted in public places and city parks everywhere. Coconuts are to be eaten whole too, where they grow. Killing and eating of animals for showing off or culinary pleasure is something that needs to be left behind in the evolution of humans  towards the next step of compassion and ethical beingness. Killing and eating animals is only ever acceptable if there is true necessity for health of the land and our bodies. (see video at the end - very interesting to say the least) There is pain on this planet - does it have to be so bad for so many? There is suffering, and then there is unnecessary suffering - and its relief for all sentient beings everywhere.

And then there is technology: the making of actual muscle meat produced from stem cells and even meat products from human waste. Given the human the population growth and demand for meat - that may be where we are headed. They are working on it.

"Meat consumption is going to double in the next 40 years or so, so we need to come up with alternatives to solve the land issue," Post said.

"Dutch scientists have used stem cells to create strips of muscle tissue with the aim of producing the first lab-grown hamburger later this year.

The aim of the research is to develop a more efficient way of producing meat than rearing animals.

At a major science meeting in Canada, Prof Mark Post said synthetic meat could reduce the environmental footprint of meat by up to 60%.

"We would gain a tremendous amount in terms of resources," he said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17104501

And have you heard about the guy who lives on the energy of the sun, harvested thorough the eyes only at a very specific time of day?
That is far out and most people will never get there - it does illustrate however that what we think we need to stay alive need to be up fro rediscovery.

There will need to be a shift in perception of what is truly needed for healthy living.

We'll see how that goes. For me, today - I am not willing to kill innocent animals who want to live and express their beingness, who feel pain and contentment, hunger and pleasure, who can learn and show affection, who have rich social lives. For me to kill them, there needs to be another level of necessity. So I am a bad flock keeper.

This might mean being headed in the vegan direction for now - knowing, that long term, it is not the answer for this planet - just a good direction to go for the next step. Here is a VERY interesting video: How to combat the desertification of the planet - wow