Free range, small-scale "production" (disgusting word to use in this context imho) - why would this be any less exploitative than what animal AG is doing in the billions? Sure, the animal is treated better, which is good in a vacuum, but the animal still can neither consent nor object to being exploited. At best, it's a chicken laying eggs for reproduction or for its own sustenance and is robbed of these, at worst it's a cow that's being force-impregnated to give milk, to sustain its calves which it can't, or it's killed for meat. The end result is, whatever way you wanna spin it, a dead or exploited animal.

All these hypotheticals of people having "small-scale productions" or, for some reason not being part of the larger issue at hand just because they raise their own animals, is ultimately just cope to justify cruelty and exploitation. Accept that fact and move on, but at least be aware of what you're doing, or change something about your perspective.

Veganism explicitly mentions to reduce the exploitation of animals in all facets of life, more or less. If you're dependent on animal products because you're living isolated and have no access to other nourishment - sure. I doubt the average Lemmy user is in such a predicament, however. Thus, it's absolutely within the realm of reason to assume that living as a vegan is possible and should be strived towards - especially if you're a self-proclaimed leftist.