29 Nov 2016
10 facts you should know about factory-farmed chickens
Industrial meat chicken farming is one of the biggest causes of __animal suffering globally. Yet most people have no idea about the suffering these intelligent, sensitive animals endure
Global chicken consumption is growing each year, so to keep up with demand, and so companies farming chickens for meat have significantly sped up the growing process.
However, in many cases the welfare of chickens is completely disregarded, leaving them to suffer miserably throughout their short lives.
Did you know?
- Around 60 billion chickens are reared for meat each year. 40 billion of these are raised in huge, crowded sheds, or cramped cages. They are kept in dismal conditions and suffer painful heart, skin, lung and bone problems and stress.
- Chicken is one of the world’s most popular meats. Between 1996-2016, demand for chicken meat grew almost 40% in the European Union, 89% in China and 183% in India.
- A factory-farmed chicken lives an average of 42 days. In the wild, chickens can live for several years.
- Many factory-grown chickens gain more than 50g in weight every day. However, their immune systems, organs and legs cannot keep up, so they suffer a range of physical problems as a result.
- Meat chickens are still babies when they’re slaughtered. Due to increased growth rate and shortened life span, chickens bred for meat may look fully-grown despite still being young.
- Only specific breeds of chicken are bred for meat. They’re genetically selected for their ability to reach ‘slaughter weight’” as fast as possible.
- Around 2,000 meat chickens are slaughtered every second around the world.
- Many meat chickens live in a space smaller than an A4 piece of paper. By the time they’re ready for slaughter, there’s barely space for them to move.
- Chickens love ‘dust-bathing’. They dig shallow holes to jump in, then cover themselves in dry dust and dirt. It’s an important natural behaviour, keeps feathers in good condition, and removes parasites. Factory-grown chickens are commonly prevented from dust-bathing and carrying out other important behaviours, such as pecking, scratching and perching.
- 71% of people never when ask where the chicken is from when buying it at a fast-food outlet. This insight came from our recent survey of 12,000 people.
Steve McIvor, our CEO, said: "This conveyor belt of rapidly-grown chickens comes at a price. Behind the world’s favourite meat is an unacceptable cost of suffering that is increasing as the global demand for chicken grows."
Progress of egg-laying hen welfare must be replicated
In recent years, more consumers have demanded higher welfare egg products. In response, several food companies, including Nestle and McDonald’s, have pledged to go cage-free for egg laying hens.
Unfortunately, however, the plight of meat chickens remains hidden. Most people don’t know about the endless suffering a meat chicken endures before it becomes meat on a plate.
Sign our petition to KFC
Join us in challenging KFC, one of the world’s largest fast-food retailers, to improve the welfare of billions of chickens in its supply chain.
We’re urging KFC to:
- Use chicken breeds that grow at a slower, more natural rate
- Allow more living space for chickens
- Provide more things for chickens to engage with and explore, such as perches and hay bales
- Introduce natural light in chicken sheds
Add your name to our KFC petition now.
We’re urgently petitioning Brazil senators not to legalise animal cruelty
Tomorrow, Wednesday November 30, senators in Brazil will vote to allow some forms of __animal abuse in the name of culture, including cruel ‘Vaquejada’ sport
Currently, the Brazilian Constitution forbids all practices that subject animals to cruelty.
However, if voted in, the constitutional amendment (PEC 50) will open exceptions to practices registered as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ in Brazil. This would include both rodeos and ‘Vaquejadas’, which cause tremendous suffering to the animals involved.
Please sign our urgent petition now to demand PEC 50 is not passed, and animals are not subjected to cruelty in the name of culture.
A brutal sport
Similar to bullfighting in Spain, Vaquejada is considered a cultural tradition, and is also inherently cruel.
Bulls are chased by men on horses, brutally pulled by their tails until they fall to the ground, subjecting the horses to stress and bulls to severe physical abuse. Bulls’ tails have several nerve endings, so pulling them causes extreme pain.
Some bulls even have their tails completely ripped off during Vaquejada.
Rosangela Ribeiro, our veterinary programmes manager in Brazil says: “Supporting the brutal torment of animals for entertainment deeply tarnishes the __animal protection legislations we currently have in Brazil.
“Vaquejada is cruel and outdated and has no place in modern society; culture should stop where cruelty starts.”
Cruelty, not culture
Authors of the Constitutional amendment proposal claim that the Vaquejadas are an important tradition. However, the severe animal cruelty involved in sports such as Vaquejada is not justifiable by the idea of tradition.
If the amendment is approved, cruel activities involving animals will be carried without restraints. It could also be used to validate other activities that threaten the welfare of animals.
Sign the petition now to help stop the constitutional amendment, and please share it with your friends and family before senators in Brazil vote on Wednesday, November 30.
28 Nov 2016
We’re working to save 70,000 animals after Hurricane Otto in Costa Rica
Our disaster response team deployed to heavily affected regions on Friday (November 25), the day after the hurricane struck. We are providing emergency feed and veterinary care for cattle, pigs, dogs and cats
People and animals, especially in farmland areas, are reeling from the rain, floods, wind and mudslides caused by Hurricane Otto, which hit the Central American country on Thursday November 24.
During this initial response, we’re assisting 1,500 cattle, 300 pigs, 900 dogs and 200 cats in the heavily affected Upala and Bagaces regions. We also set up a mobile clinic over the weekend to help wounded and hungry animals.
Families in the path of Hurricane Otto depend on livestock for subsistence, and many also keep pets, so it was important we reached affected animals as soon as possible.
"Animals are a critical source of livelihood. The loss of animals has a significant social and economic impact on people, especially on those with lower resources and in rural areas," said Juan Carlos Murillo, our disaster response manager.
Working to protect 70,000 animals
The hurricane put animals at risk of trauma, injuries and drowning. Survivors are vulnerable to disease, parasites and bacterial infections.
We are coordinating with the National Emergency Commission, the __animal Health Services (SENASA) and other expert organisations to provide further assistance to animals and their families over the next few days. We aim to reach 70,000 animals there.
As well as Costa Rican animals, we’re also speaking with contacts in Nicaragua and Panama to monitor the needs of their animals that may also be affected by Hurricane Otto.
Find out more about the work we do to protect animals from natural disasters.
25 Nov 2016
Dairy animal welfare needs to be improved by the Indian Government
We’re urging the Indian Government to improve the lives of millions of dairy cows and buffalo, after our latest opinion poll revealed overwhelming support for better dairy welfare standards
Almost 90% of the 3,000 people we recently surveyed in India said the cruel treatment of animals in local dairies is unacceptable. This fascinating insight shows the strong public support for better protection of dairy animals across India.
With almost 300 million dairy cows and buffalo, India is by far the largest dairy producer in the world. Improving welfare standards there would improve the lives of countless animals.
Suffering and deprivation in illegal dairies
Almost half of respondents were unaware that millions of animals are kept in illegal, unregulated dairies in Indian cities and suburbs. The animals suffer in barren and unsanitary conditions, often tied up their whole lives, and deprived of basic needs such as access to clean water and food.
The survey also revealed:
- almost 90% of people surveyed strongly agreed that dairies should be closed if they don’t consider the welfare needs of dairy animals
- almost 87% think the government should intervene, and enforce better welfare standards and practices
- nearly 90% are more likely to buy products from companies that source from dairies adopting better __animal welfare practices
- three out of four who regularly buy dairy brands, would be willing to pay 5-10% more for products that come from dairies offering better __animal welfare.
Urging the Indian Government to protect dairy animals
It’s India’s National Milk Day tomorrow, November 26, and the survey results have prompted us, on, to call on the Government to demand better welfare for dairy animals.
Without intervention, millions more dairy animals will be kept in cramped indoor conditions, denied their basic freedoms.
Dairy animals, like all animals, have the right to be free from suffering.
Gajender Sharma, our country director in India, says:
"It’s unacceptable that animals are living in appalling conditions, where their basic needs are not met. These results show that people want better welfare for our dairy cattle, and it matters to them where their milk comes from."
In 2014 we introduced the first National Dairy Code of Practice for the Management of Dairy Animals in India, which offers guidance on humane and sustainable practices in Indian dairies.
Maj. Gen. (Dr.) R. M. Kharb, chairman, animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) says:
"AWBI strongly supports the adoption of better welfare practices for dairy animals in India. Implementing guidelines from the National Code of Practice, developed by the National Dairy Research Institute, in partnership with World Animal Protection, will help dairy animals live happier, healthier and more productive lives."
The Code must be implemented and enforced as soon as possible. The survey results, as well as advice from the Animal Welfare Board of India, only reinforce its urgent need.
Learn more about how we’re improving the lives of billions of farm animals.
Our lobbying for animals pays off, as UN recognises their importance in natural disaster risk reduction
A new UN agreement on disaster risk reduction gives animals increased prominence, and recognises them as integral to people’s livelihoods
We have been lobbying the United Nations (UN) for three years, and had a breakthrough recently when Member States agreed to measure the impact of disasters on animals.
The measurement of impact on animals in natural disasters will now be part of the monitoring and evaluation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).
One billion people rely on animals
Over one billion of the world’s poorest people rely on animals for food, transport and their livelihoods. Governments will now include animals in disaster risk reduction strategies, disaster management planning and thus, reduce suffering and saving livelihoods.
Countries have struggled to estimate how disasters affect animals. Decision-makers will now have more accurate and regular data on the impact of disasters on animals. They will be able to better reduce the risks animals are exposed to, and help communities prepare and get back on their feet more quickly.
A welcome step forward
Gerardo Huertas, our director of disaster management, said: “While saving human life in disaster must be the priority, the animals that people depend on for their livelihoods should come a close second. We’ve been fighting for many years to get animals included so this is a welcome step forward.
“This decision will help show the benefits of __animal protection in hard figures… By agreeing that __animal impacts must be accounted for, the world takes a step closer to full recognition that animals are a critical source of livelihoods and that the loss of animals has a significant social and economic impact on people.
“This will guide the disaster risk reduction policy and action in every single country in the world going forward and is a big step in protecting animals in disasters.”
Learn more about the work we do protect animals from natural disasters.