In a message dated 8/7/2005 9:20:29 AM Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Ricki, I am in my second season of raising silkworms. I am a handspinner. > And I intend to use the silk from them. I would be interested in knowing > why it is considered cruelty to animals. I guess when you think about it, > any kind of farming could be considered cruelty. If you raise them in the > tree, you would likely be feeding the birds. Silkworms are usually raised > indoors, as the larvae lack protective coloring and protective behaviors. > They have been domesticated for thousands of years, and are said to be > unable to live on their own. They are very tiny when they hatch from the > egg, and grow at a phenomenal rate. Hmm - I'm wracking my brain trying to remember where I heard that it was cruelty to animals, but it was in the context of comparing it to wool and cotton, whose "host" lives on. I didn't think about feeding the birds if I tried to grow silkworms in my mulberry trees, but I'm sure that's right, now that you mention it. Also, I didn't know that silkworms have been domesticated like that - interesting! And I do I think an argument could be made that silk is an improvement over silk moths. > > Just my two cents! I'm finding the thread quite amusing! The Jerk- there's > another movie we'll have to look for... > :<) Martin then orders the waiter imperiously: "Take this plate away and bring back another one WITHOUT snails!" Ricki Utah To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]