
Chickens are the most abused animals in the world and billions of them are suffering daily. They deserve better.
Chickens are the most abused animals in the world and billions of them are suffering daily. They deserve better.
It may be your favourite meal or a part of your protein diet, however, too often the reality behind the world’s most popular meat is unacceptable suffering. You might ask – ‘why should I care about the suffering of chickens?’. The straight answer is – you should.
Here’s why:
Chickens are not treated like animals; they are considered a commodity. The speed at which they are raised for commercial benefits:
Between 1996-2016, demand for chicken meat grew almost 40% in the European Union (EU), 89% in China and 83% in India.
Globally, around 2000 chickens are slaughtered every second. A factory farmed chicken lives an average of 42 days. While in the wild, or an open farm, it can live for several years. The life span of chickens is shortened in factory farming as they are bred for meat. They are grown in such a way that they gain weight, become oversized, however they are still babies when they are slaughtered.
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Chickens raised in factory farms are forced to gain 50g weight every day before they are slaughtered. This unnatural and forced weight gain disturbs the immune system of the chicken drastically and causes a range of physical problems.Their organs and legs cannot sustain this sudden weight gain and it leads to diseases in chickens. These diseases chickens are then slaughtered and sent out for your consumption. Even wonder what will happen when you consume these unhealthy chickens?
Think about it. You can make a difference.
What needs to happen for the sustainable welfare of chickens on an intensive commercial farm?
The lives of billions of chickens can be transformed by implying High Welfare Standards on intensive commercial farms. To give chickens a better life, these farms must:
A slower growing breed raised in higher welfare reduces the health problems associated with leg disability caused by the rapid growth of the chicken and being overweight. Reduce the impaired function of the heart and lungs. Thus, higher welfare gives the chicken more freedom of movement with stronger legs, smaller breast muscles and more balanced growth etc.
The maximum stock density should be 6 lbs./ sq. foot i.e, 2.7kg/ sq. foot or 30kg/ sq. meter. Having more space reduces stress and encourage the chickens to do their favourite activities, such as walking, scratching, and mashing the dust.
With at least 6 hours of continuous darkness for the chickens to get enough sleep.
Providing materials that enable chickens to perform natural behaviour and stimulate better in more enriched environments. Practising such activities that one enjoys can help reduce stress and reduce illnesses
Global fast-food brands have a responsibility to improve the lives of chickens everywhere. But these brands are propping up cruel chicken farming to ensure the product they receive is consistent. Find out more about which global brand is failing to provide basic welfare standards to chickens by reading The Pecking Order.
We want to build a community of informed individuals who understand that chickens have a life too. They feel pain, they suffer and they cannot voice their plight.
Join us in the fight to end this unnecessary cruelty on chickens.
World Animal Protection India D-21, 2nd Floor, Corporate Park, Near Sector-8 Metro Station, Sector-21, Dwarka, New Delhi – 110075 India