Genuine Love

They were only a day old when they arrived here in the farm. We housed them in a shed that costs more than a hundred thousand dollars, with straw beddings that cost a hundred and twenty dollars per bale. These chicks were brooded in a computerized, environmentally-controlled room—where the temperature, air flow and humidity were closely monitored and modified (if needed) to suit their living requirement. There’s a lighting program to provide enough brightness even at midnight so they can eat and drink whenever they want. Their feed was a mixture of special grains and was very nutritious—formulated by the best animal nutritionists of the country. We ensured that their drinking water is always available, potable and uncontaminated.

They had the luxury of modern facility, the gift of skilful handlers and the comfort of special husbandry but still some of them had stunted growth, others were weak and a few died. Sometimes I would think that our management practices might not be enough, and the computerized controls and mechanized equipment have not been always perfect.

Despite their luxurious lifestyle, I don't and will never envy them. They had been artificially hatched from the machines and were immediately brought here in the farm. They haven’t even seen their dam; they had been deprived of and never felt the genuine brood of a real hen!

For us who experienced and have been enjoying the genuine love and care of our mother, we are very lucky. But of course Mother's Day is not just all about how we feel the warmth of our mother's love for us, it is also about how we let her feel the warmth of our own love, care and thoughts for her.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, and out there!

[This entry was originally posted last May 10, 2008.]

The required brooding temperature for day old chicks in this farm is 32'C. But the warmth of our mother's genuine love can never be measured!