Anyone who keeps a small flock of chickens can tell you that while chickens are not very bright, they do have individual personalities. Our turkens, for example, are out in all kinds of weather. Our barred rocks are placid and gentle. Some of our Rhode Island reds follow us around. Our leghorns are skittish, but I believe that is true of all leghorns. Our Americanas are so dumb that I sometimes have to physically put them in the coop at night.
Under California law all eggs sold in the state must be laid by hens that can stand up, lie down, and extend their wings without touching another chicken. This seems to me a minimal standard egg producers must meet to improve the quality of life of hens.
Chris Koster, the Attorney General of Missouri, has filed suit in federal court to overturn the California standards. He says California law violates the interstate commerce clause. People who raise chickens also have a familiarity with chicken manure, and I can tell you this is a chicken shit lawsuit.
Smells like it.
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