I’m also somewhat concerned because this seems like a clear case of a dual use intervention that makes life better for the animals but also confers benefits to the farmers that may ultimately result in more suffering rather than less by, for example, making chickens more palatable to consumers as “humanely farmed” (I’m guessing that’s what is meant by “humane-washing”) or making chicken production more profitable (either by humane-washing or by making the chickens produce a better quality meat product that is in higher demand).
Hi Gordan! Happy to respond more in-depth but first, I have two clarifying points.
This intervention is for egg-laying hens, not broiler chickens. Egg-laying hens are not used for meat, but I could address your question from the perspective of egg quality. Is that fine?
Also, are you making an argument that feed fort will specifically be more prone to “humane-washing” compared to, e.g. cage-free/broiler campaigns or that all welfare-focused interventions that aim to improve the conditions on the farms are prone to “humane-washing” and therefore may be net-negative in the long term?
I’m also somewhat concerned because this seems like a clear case of a dual use intervention that makes life better for the animals but also confers benefits to the farmers that may ultimately result in more suffering rather than less by, for example, making chickens more palatable to consumers as “humanely farmed” (I’m guessing that’s what is meant by “humane-washing”) or making chicken production more profitable (either by humane-washing or by making the chickens produce a better quality meat product that is in higher demand).
Hi Gordan! Happy to respond more in-depth but first, I have two clarifying points.
This intervention is for egg-laying hens, not broiler chickens. Egg-laying hens are not used for meat, but I could address your question from the perspective of egg quality. Is that fine?
Also, are you making an argument that feed fort will specifically be more prone to “humane-washing” compared to, e.g. cage-free/broiler campaigns or that all welfare-focused interventions that aim to improve the conditions on the farms are prone to “humane-washing” and therefore may be net-negative in the long term?