ANIMAL RIGHTS

Animal cruelty is a non-issue to owners and operators of factory farms. These animals are mistreated and abused in order to maximize output from these facilities. Animals are kept in the smallest spaces possible in order to fit more produce into smaller spaces. They are forced into confined spaces, sometimes with several other animals, often preventing them space to move, turn around, or lie down (Go Veg). This lack of movement allows them to create more produce. Due to these conditions, many animals end up dying; however, this lost profit is considered a better option than offering larger cages (Go Veg).

Factory-farmed animals such as cows and pigs spend the majority of their lives inside of crates too small to turn around in. Just a few days after birth, the young animals are roped by their necks and confined to their crates. This lack of space keeps the animals from moving and produces better products. Even while pregnant animals are allowed no movement (Humane Society).

Chickens face the same terrible condition on factory farms. First, they are forced into cages with several other chickens. At a young age the chicken’s have their beaks cut off to prevent them from pecking at the other animals when stress drives them to violence. These procedures are done without anesthesia. In order to increase output, chickens are genetically altered to grow faster than they would have normal. This stresses their fragile systems, causing many of them to die. Often times, their legs are unable to support their increased body weight and become crippled. Even if the chickens survive these ordeals, they often face issues due to the diseased facilities they are kept in (Farm Santuary).

Even after their dismal lives on factory farms, chickens face an exceptional ordeal when they are sent to slaughter. Unlike other animals, chickens are not protected under the 1958 Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, which requires that livestock be numbed to pain before entering slaughter plants. However, birds were not considered part of the definition of livestock meaning they are not protected under this bill. Therefore, birds are subjected to inhumane techniques, including “shackling them upside-down, electrically stunning them into paralysis (but not unconsciousness), and sometimes even drowning them in tanks of scalding water—all while countless birds are full conscious” (Humane Society).

This video is one of hundreds of videos drawing attention to the horrors of factory farming.

Unfortunately, animals raised on factory farms don’t have the same legal protection as other animal such as cats or dogs. These species are protected from mutilation, neglect, drug use, extreme weather exposure, genetic manipulation, and unnecessary slaughter. Animals raised on factory farms enjoy none of these protections, and in fact face them on a daily basis (Go Veg).