Modern-day chickens at factory farms weigh around 365
percent more than their 1950s counterparts and grow at a much faster rate. They
go from hatching to nearly six pounds in just 48 days. To put that into
perspective, it would be like raising a 500-pound ten-year-old.
percent more than their 1950s counterparts and grow at a much faster rate. They
go from hatching to nearly six pounds in just 48 days. To put that into
perspective, it would be like raising a 500-pound ten-year-old.
How did the chicken industry become so profoundly messed up?
Let’s take a look.
Let’s take a look.
In the 1950s
the average “broiler chicken, the breed raised for meat, went from hatching
to a slaughter weight of 2.2 pounds in about 56 days. But to meet the demands
of an ever-growing population, the factory farming industry has used a
dangerous combination of genetic manipulation, antibiotics,
and hormones to create today’s “Franken-chickens.
the average “broiler chicken, the breed raised for meat, went from hatching
to a slaughter weight of 2.2 pounds in about 56 days. But to meet the demands
of an ever-growing population, the factory farming industry has used a
dangerous combination of genetic manipulation, antibiotics,
and hormones to create today’s “Franken-chickens.
Manipulating chickens for rapid growth has terrible
consequences. By growing so fast, these poor animals often become immobilized under their own weight and
endure debilitating pain. They also suffer heart attacks, organ failure,
and other problems.
consequences. By growing so fast, these poor animals often become immobilized under their own weight and
endure debilitating pain. They also suffer heart attacks, organ failure,
and other problems.
Because these chickens are often unable to walk, they’ve
become fatter. Today’s chicken meat contains 224 percent more fat and 9 percent
less protein.
become fatter. Today’s chicken meat contains 224 percent more fat and 9 percent
less protein.
Furthermore, since they’re too large to stand or walk, the
birds are forced to sit in their own waste. This is one reason why
chicken meat is so filthy. In fact, the USDA estimates that around 25 percent of cut-up chicken meat and about 50 percent of
all ground chicken is contaminated with salmonella.
birds are forced to sit in their own waste. This is one reason why
chicken meat is so filthy. In fact, the USDA estimates that around 25 percent of cut-up chicken meat and about 50 percent of
all ground chicken is contaminated with salmonella.
Sadly, chickens are some of the most abused animals
on the planet and make up 98 percent of the animals raised and killed
for food in the U.S. This is devastating since chickens
are such intelligent and sensitive beings.
on the planet and make up 98 percent of the animals raised and killed
for food in the U.S. This is devastating since chickens
are such intelligent and sensitive beings.
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.
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.
And abuse is rampant. A Mercy For Animals investigation of
several Lilydale supplier farms in Canada exposed
workers hitting, kicking, and throwing live birds; jamming them into
overcrowded transport crates; running over them with forklifts; and ripping off
their heads and legs.
several Lilydale supplier farms in Canada exposed
workers hitting, kicking, and throwing live birds; jamming them into
overcrowded transport crates; running over them with forklifts; and ripping off
their heads and legs.
See for yourself.
Raising chickens who grow so quickly isn’t just dangerous
for the planet and our health; it’s downright cruel. Luckily, with amazing new
products hitting store shelves all the time, replacing chicken with healthy and
humane plant-based alternatives has never been easier. Click here for
a list of mouthwatering chicken substitutes.
for the planet and our health; it’s downright cruel. Luckily, with amazing new
products hitting store shelves all the time, replacing chicken with healthy and
humane plant-based alternatives has never been easier. Click here for
a list of mouthwatering chicken substitutes.
Click here to
order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide.
order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide.
