13 Comments

I found myself wanting to see an after photo of your rescue birds. You captured both the hopelessness and the hopeful emotions of this huge problem we all live with.

Let the chickens be chickens!

Expand full comment
author

As Joel Salatin says, “Let them express their chickeness!”

Expand full comment
Jul 30Liked by Brett Gallagher

You have a gift of stating important matters very clearly and eloquently.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for the kind words, Jay!

Expand full comment

The restoration of health, given half a chance with Nature as their new world, is remarkable, isn't it? Thanks for the straight talk and contrasting pics. It doesn't have to be complicated.

Expand full comment
Sep 24Liked by Brett Gallagher

Thank you so much for this re-sensitizing (and restorative) plea to our humanity. Thank you for making me feel worthy AND capable of a higher standard, while also gently reminding me that I’m also responsible for it. On a practical note: I buy eggs from my local farmers market. But how can I know that I’m getting the healthiest eggs from the healthiest chickens?

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for the kind words, Malika. The best way is to get to know the farmer and ask to visit the farm sometime. Farmers are busy, but we’re also proud of our farms and like to show off. I think any decent farmer that treats his “girls” well would be happy to show you how they’re cared for, what they’re fed, etc.

Expand full comment
Sep 24Liked by Brett Gallagher

First, you can tell by how the eggs taste. Second, you can ask the farmer about how their chickens live. The good ones will tell you what they chickens eat, where they hang out. My second-favourite egg farmer calls her chickens "my girls.".

Expand full comment

Thank you for this advice! You’re right. Farmers who care will want to talk about their girls!

Expand full comment

These poor chickens they didn’t deserve that kind of treatment, some people disgust me especially this country.

Expand full comment
founding

Well written Brett, and proud you’re one of the good guys.

Love, mom

Expand full comment

Great article Brett! It really makes you think about where our food actually comes from! Poor chickens……..

Expand full comment

You’re right that we’re taught not to notice, nor care. Our food supply is our biggest blind spot! Thanks for showing us what it looks like.

Expand full comment