Caged chickens

Regarding "PETA targets abbey's egg farm" (NCR, March 2): I am surprised that Fr. Stanislaus Gumula does not see the rationalization in arguing that his chickens are better off caged because there's no chance of a rodent or snake snaring them. By that kind of logic, we would all be better off caged--no chance of being run over by a car or shot in a convenience store. I made a retreat on a few occasions at a Trappist monastery in Utah. I was shown the prize-winning poultry farm, very like the monastery in South Carolina. No chicken ever touched the ground or had a chance to roam, yet the monks won an award for their efficiency, if not their humanity. As visitors, we were always treated well by the monks. It's a pity their animals are not treated so well. Uncage the chickens, Father. And don't go back to holding them in a barn. Let them roam outside. It's possible you might sustain some financial loss but your reward will be great in heaven.

HARRY DONAGHY

Las Vegas

It's strange that there are so many intelligent people who erroneously attribute human feelings to animals, revealing a pathetic misunderstanding of the realities faced by free-running animals. I had firsthand experience while residing at Holy Trinity Abbey in Huntsville, Utah. In the winter of 1983-84, it was sobering to watch some of those wild animals, namely the deer, slowly die of exhaustion and starvation as they struggled to pull themselves from brisket-deep snow, which goes to show that such animals are anything but free. They are locked in a battle with the elements for survival. On the other hand, well-fed animals housed in a controlled environment, provided with medical care, protected from predators are much better off. They get a more humane death from the ultimate predator, man, instead of being eaten alive by a pack of winter-gaunt coyotes. Speaking from 20 years experience working with caged chickens as well as with dairy cows, I can authoritatively declare: Animals who suffer will not produce. If dairy cows are mistreated, their milk production drops, and if chickens suffer cruelty, their egg production wanes. Caged chickens have never known any other kind of environment. They have been in confinement since the day they were hatched. This is a case where the adage holds true: "Anyone will get used to hanging, if they hang long enough."

(Br,) JOHN O'DRISCOLL, OCSO

Peosta, Iowa

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