SAFE has released footage from an Auckland chicken farm that would shock most meat-eaters.
The footage shows dead and dying chickens; including stranded birds that have fallen on their backs, unable to get up. Many of the chickens have red-raw skin, as a result of lying in their own excrement.
SAFE’s Head of Campaigns Marianne Macdonald says the condition of these helpless animals is a result of the industry’s breeding programs.
“These baby birds are so overweight and unbalanced, they are at high risk of toppling over on their backs. That can be an early death sentence on a factory farm,” says Ms Macdonald.
“While the footage is shocking, what it shows is something that could be found hidden behind the walls of any chicken factory farm in New Zealand. Suffering and death are commonplace, which is the result of extreme selective breeding. We call these ‘SAD’ chickens, because they are sick and deformed. These birds are pushed beyond what their bodies can cope with.”
The chicken breeds used in the meat industry grow so fast that they reach their slaughter weight in six weeks, which results in severe compromises to their welfare. Many drop dead from heart failure, and for those that make it through the first few weeks, almost a third suffer painful lameness. NZ poultry industry spokesperson Michael Brooks has confirmed (1) that thousands die every day.
SAFE Veterinary Science Advisor Dr Roz Holland says, “Selection for very fast growth in these birds has resulted in significant physical changes which come with associated welfare problems. There is strong evidence that increased growth rates are associated to chronically painful lameness.”
“The easiest way for caring Kiwis to help chickens is by taking them off their plate and instead, choose delicious plant-based alternatives,” adds Ms Macdonald.
“An increasing number of overseas supermarkets and food retailers are responding to public concern about SAD chickens by moving away from fast-grow breeds. Chickens that grow slower, don’t have the same level of health problems and suffering,” adds Ms Macdonald.
“The move to ‘slow-grow’ breeds is already happening in Europe and parts of the United States. New Zealand is lagging behind,” says Ms Macdonald.
That’s fucking disgraceful. Poor little chickens. What have we become?
And where are our fish? I prefer fish but it’s a billion dollars a gram? Where’s our fish? We have a massive and rich in fish coast line teeming with aforementioned fishes and there are only 4.7 million of us schmucks? So? Where’s our fish? Anybody seen our fish? Who’s got our fish?
I knew a fisherman in Lyttelton twenty years ago who told me how, if they caught too many fishes for their quota they’d just dump them back dead. Tons and tons of them sometimes. Thus WTF? How is that logical? That’s a madness foisted upon a powerless fisherperson by a pumped up bureaucrat with a small dick issue well lobbied by Talleys or Sealord would be my guess.
Where’s our fish? Fish are wet things and they taste great. And are not chickens, it should be said. Well, they are a bit. Sea chickens. Ocean hens. Fish fowls. Call me Bubbles Be-Gawk if you must.
Fish are sentient beings. The commercial fishing industry is one of the most cruel industries on the planet. Bycatch and waste is appalling. Fishe are being depleted at a phenomenal rate, so much so that a recent report said there would be no fish in the ocean by 2048. Eating fish is no more ethical or moral than eating any terrestrial farmed animal.
Great to see the left finally coming on board with the animal rights movement. This is the next great frontier of liberation, so important for the sake of the sentient beings at the heart of exploitative industrial capitalism, but also so important for addressing climate change. Animal agriculture produces around 50% of greenhouse gases worldwide. Its way past time we abandon the immoral animal abuse industries for plant-based alternatives.
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