Minimum criteria for health and welfare
Have you ever wondered how the conventional chicken originated?
It would have been nice if everything had happened naturally, but the reality is different. Many years ago, in the 1950s, the broiler chicken was genetically selected as a result of experiments to create new breeds of chicken.
Why was the conventional chicken created through genetic selection?
To produce more meat, in a much shorter time, regardless of the consequences these animals are forced to suffer.
For chickens, rapid growth is nothing but misery. Putting on so much weight in a short time leads to deformed growths, pressing joints, and the heart can’t always keep up. Sadly, many of them fail to survive.
Maybe where they live has better conditions?
Unfortunately, we have no better information in this area either.
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Space
The space they have is limited, the only time they have room to move is from the time they are thrown into the barn at 1 day until they start to grow rapidly in a few days.
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Density
They get to sit about seventeen 2 kg chicks per square metre.
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Light
They have no natural light, they can’t move around, they have no space to play as they normally should.
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Conditions
Most of the time they lie on the ground, in the dirt, immobilised, unable to reach food and water. From being on the floor for so long, they have painful burns on their hock from the ammonia in the droppings
How long do conventional chickens live and how are they killed?
They live for about 5 weeks, and those who reach this age may hope that it’s all over and they will be able to enjoy their freedom…but they are mercilessly picked up, handcuffed to their legs and suspended upside down. The handcuffs cause them a great deal of pain, and on top of that everything turns to fear.
Can you imagine what a chicken sees around it before its turn?
