Chickens Almost Five Times Larger Than in the 1950s

Researchers at the University of Alberta
have found that chickens in 2005 were almost five times larger than they were
in 1957, fewer than 50 years prior.

Chickens bred for meat in 1957 weighed an
average of 905 grams at 56 days. By contrast, consuming exactly the same
quantity of food, chickens bred for meat in 2005 weighed an average of 4,202
grams at 56 days. 

The researchers noted
that “musculoskeletal, immune function, and
parent stock management challenges may require additional attention in future
selection programs.

Chickens bred to grow so large so
quickly can become crippled under their own weight, and suffer from
cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks. The unfortunate birds
used to breed “meat chickens have
their feed restricted to one-third of what they would naturally eat to prevent
them from reaching their growth potential and dropping dead from their
unnatural weight.

Incredibly, breeding suffering into
animals’ very DNA is not prohibited or even regulated by our government.

Fortunately, compassionate plant-based
food options are becoming more and more prevalent. Visit ChooseVeg.ca to get inspired.