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In Jayson Lusk’s book, Unnaturally Delicious, there are many points made about the welfare and well-being of animals. He talks explicitly about the welfare of hens in egg houses, and the various living conditions they are subject to. The mentioning of Battery cages being a primary habitat, yet frowned upon by many urges Lusk to introduce various alternatives that also have equal if not more significant flaws. He clearly states the positives and negatives of each system while keeping a factually neutral front. In an effort to persuade animal farms, Lusk introduces his concept of Animal Well-being units, and how this earned credit system can significantly advance the animal welfare battle. He mainly promotes the system and offers many uses of the program and how it can be supported through donations and consumers.
Battery Cage Controversy
One topic mentioned by Lusk is the supposed inhumanity of Battery Cages, a sixty-seven square inch cage, where the hens have no room to run around or even spread their wings. Many activists slander these cages and tarnish the companies that use them. Because of this, many different methods have been tried, but they put the chickens at risk or threaten the livelihood of the farmers struggling to upkeep the new systems. Cage-free barns, also known as aviaries, are described by Lusk as “often chaotic, dusty, and smelly.
Mortality rates for cage-free hens can be twice as high as those for hens in cages” (19) Lusk then proceeds with why the mortality rate increases with cage-free systems. He does emphasize that the hens indeed have more space and mobility, but it also allows brawling amongst the birds. The air quality and cleanliness of cage-free systems is also a major factor contributing towards the mortality rate. Lusk writes “I’ve talked to large-scale egg farmers who have both cage and cage-free systems, and most prefer the cage” (19).
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Backyard hen cages are another popular choice presented by Lusk, but just like the cage-free systems, backyard cages also have problems. Fewer hens, open space, and fresh eggs are offered, but inclimate weather, diseases, parasites, and predators put the hens at risk. Lusk writes “There’s a reason farmers started bringing their hens indoors decades ago… because the could provide a safer and more stable environment for the hens” (20). The enriched, or colony, cage system was made known as an innovative compromise with nearly 73% more space per hen, but it does increase the price of egg products. With these points, Lusk does not necessarily promote battery cages, but does, in a way, suggest they are better than a majority of the previously listed alternatives.
Animal Well-being Concept
Another argument presented by Lusk is the concept of animal well-being units (AWBUs). He describes these units as a credit system that can be earned by measuring the level of animal welfare a farm provides. These farmers can sell these products to people wanting to improve animal welfare. Lusk notes “Such a system would achieve an overall level of animal well-being that balances the costs of providing higher levels of care with people’s demands for it” (29). Unfortunately, this seemingly perfect system is flawed. Lusk questions if the well-being of animals can distinctly be identifiable as a number of credits.
There are many ideas on how to calculate this, but it ranges from a variety of opinions and calculations. Lusk adds that if people may disagree with what qualifies as animal welfare, then they can simply not buy AWBUs. Lusk himself prefers calculating the welfare with measuring amounts of space, air quality, the health of the animals, etc. and with this sum up a score and compare it to other farms. He uses a spacious, stress and disease free farm as an example of getting a 100 regarding the calculations of animal welfare. While on the lower end a farm with bad air quality, high injury, and high mortality rate would get a zero. With this, people can count the number of animals, and determine the AWBUs given. With the credits, farmers can sell them to buyers.
The potential of animal well-being units is excellent, and the numerous possible buyers could donate a lot of money if they feel inclined. Lusk says that since people donate billions to charities every year, so if urged, people can donate or collect money to buy AWBUs. He pulls the Humane Society of the United States in as an example of fans supporting a concept, or process, by donating nearly $186 million in 2014.
Lusk mentions “The HSUS is only one of the many animal advocacy organizations that spend millions each year attempting to improve the well-being of farm animals… Companies like McDonald’s and Walmart, for example, might want to make public statements about their commitments to animal well-being by buying AWBUs at a volume proportionate to their use of animal products” (31). Following this, Lusk returns to saying consumers might want to buy AWBUs to improve the welfare of hens if not impact egg purchases. To end the topic of AWBUs Lusk points out that if there is profit in the AWBU system, then farmers may have more incentive to use them. After all, profit is what keeps these farmers alive.
The arguments presented in Unnaturally Delicious are supported by the facts and the somewhat unbiased opinions Jayson Lusk presented in his chapter The Price of Happy Hens. Lusk states the likely benefits of his Animal Well-being units while also cluing in on how consumers and other organizations can make it a reality with donations and/or purchasing of the units themselves. He also delves into the living condition of egg-laying hens on egg production farms. By describing the commonly used battery cages and presenting alternatives demanded by the people he shows that the battery cage system is not as bad an option as it appears. Lusk supports his arguments with facts and personal research, and remains fairly unbiased throughout his information.
