Language
Country/Area
No result found
Did you know that more than 60 billion chickens are slaughtered worldwide every year? What is the truth behind this?
As the global population continues to grow, the demand for meat and eggs is also rising. According to reports, more than 60 billion chickens are slaughtered every year to meet the global demand for these foods. What kind of industrial operations and ethical considerations are hidden behind this? This article will take a closer look at the various phenomena and impacts behind chicken farming.
Overview of poultry farming
Poultry farming refers to the raising of poultry for food production, primarily chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese. Among these poultry, chickens are the most commonly farmed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the United Kingdom are the agencies responsible for regulating poultry production in their respective countries.
According to the World Watch Institute, 74 percent of the world's poultry meat, and 68 percent of eggs are produced intensively.
Discussion on breeding methods
Poultry farming methods are mainly divided into intensive production and alternative farming. In intensive production systems, large numbers of poultry are often kept in limited space to increase production efficiency and reduce costs. Alternative farming, such as free-range farming, uses lower stocking densities and allows chickens to move around in a more natural environment.
Chicken House Design
A chicken coop, or hen house, is a facility used to protect chickens. There is controversy over the way chicken coops are designed. Some people advocate open-plan chicken houses that provide enough fresh air to prevent health problems in chickens due to confinement. Others believe that chickens should be raised in a controlled environment to protect them from the effects of the climate.
In many countries, by approximately 72 weeks of age, flocks are considered economically unviable and are slaughtered after approximately 12 months of egg production.
Production and feeding conditions of laying hens
Commercial hens generally start laying eggs between 16 and 21 weeks of age, but egg production gradually declines after that. Chickens can live up to six years, but flocks that are not economically profitable are often slaughtered after about 12 months of egg laying. In some places forced molting is used to re-stimulate the hens' egg-laying ability. In addition, modern farming systems often automatically regulate environmental conditions, such as light, to ensure that hens lay eggs under optimal conditions.
Free range and organic farming
Free-range chickens are allowed to roam freely during the day, although they are usually confined to their enclosure at night to protect them from predators. Some countries have strict definitions of free range, requiring chickens to have access to the outdoors most of the time. Organic farming has higher standards, requiring that the chickens' food, health management and production conditions must meet organic standards.
Free-range farming of egg-laying hens is increasing its share of the market.
Cage Controversy
In many countries, hens are housed in "battery cages". However, as people pay more attention to animal welfare, the European Union banned the use of traditional battery cages in 2012. Although battery cages are convenient for farmers to manage, they have been criticized in terms of animal welfare because this breeding method restricts the chickens' natural behavior.
Limited by space
There is a lot of scientific evidence that hens kept in battery cages cannot stand, walk or spread their wings freely, causing them to become bored and anxious, which may lead to injuries and abnormal behaviors. Although this method is highly efficient, the quality of life of the chickens is worrying.
Thinking about the future
As the market pays more attention to animal welfare and environmental awareness, more and more breeders are beginning to explore more humane breeding methods. The transition from free-range to organic and high-welfare farming not only improves the quality of life of chickens, but also meets the health expectations of consumers.
Against this backdrop, we should think about how we, as consumers, can choose to support more humane poultry products when so many chickens are being slaughtered and their feeding methods are changing?
