We’ve all heard the misconception “bird brain. But the most
recent scientific research shows that birds are actually highly intelligent
beings capable of feeling pain and suffering. These include the birds we eat—namely,
chickens.
From anticipating future events to recalling the trajectory
of a hidden object, chickens are incredibly smart. They even possess
self-control, holding out for a better food reward, and can assess their own position
in the pecking order—both
characteristics of self-awareness.
What’s more, chickens pass down knowledge from generation to
generation and can recognize over 100 individual faces, not only of their
fellow chickens but of humans. They also understand that recently hidden
objects still exist, something beyond the capability of a two-year-old human child.
Chickens are also caring and sensitive animals. Consider
this: Mother hens
begin communicating with their chicks before they even hatch. When the
babies are still inside their shells, the mother hen clucks softly to them and
they chirp back. How sweet is that?
Chickens also experience joy, loneliness, frustration, fear,
and pain just like the dogs and cats who share our homes. They even purr when
they’re petted like cats!
Unfortunately, chickens are one of the most abused animals
on the planet. In fact, chickens make up 98 percent of the land animals raised
and killed for food in the U.S. and lead some of the most miserable lives. They
are subjected to cruelties few of us can even imagine.
Chickens used for meat are confined in overcrowded, filthy
sheds in near darkness. Bred to grow unnaturally fast, they endure chronic,
debilitating pain and frequently become immobilized under their own weight. They
also suffer heart attacks, organ failure, and other problems
because of rapid growth.
At the slaughterhouse, these innocent animals are violently
shackled upside down, painfully shocked with electricity, and cut open at the
throat—often while still conscious and able to feel pain.
Multiple undercover investigations by Mercy For Animals into
Tyson Foods—the world’s largest chicken producer—have exposed horrific abuse,
including sick and injured birds left to die in filth; workers viciously
punching, beating, and stabbing these sensitive animals; and live, conscious birds
having their heads ripped off.
Don’t believe us? See for yourself.
To make matters worse, not a single U.S. federal law
protects animals during their lives at factory farms, and the law
that’s supposed to protect animals at slaughterhouses, the Humane Methods of
Slaughter Act, doesn’t extend to birds, leaving chickens with virtually no
protection from abuse.
Thankfully, with a wide variety of delicious
and humane meat-free options readily available, everyone can enjoy
their favorite flavors without hurting these precious animals.
Ready to go vegan? Click here to get started. And check out
our Pinterest page for thousands of recipe ideas.