A couple of days ago, a video went viral showing the inside of a Purdue run chicken farm. The farmer in the video contacted CompassionUSA because he decided that it was time people knew what was going on in these chicken farms. I have to warn you, the video is incredibly upsetting. The chickens that you see in this video are sold as “cage-free” and “hormone free”, which technically, are true – but it’s false advertising because you’re led to believe that these chickens led a life of dignity and from the video, it’s clear they don’t.
The farmer in the video tells you that the chickens have to remain inside the structure and according to the agreement he signed with Purdue, they are not allowed to see sunlight. The chicks that come to him grow to be chickens that have been bred to have such large breasts that they have difficult standing up. Because of this, they spend the majority of their lifetime laying down, in other chicken’s waste. Waste that isn’t cleaned up during the chickens’ lifetime and usually not after and before a new wave of chicks. The combination of constantly laying down and the material of their floor, the chickens underside go raw (they loose their feathers).
I’m sure that Purdue has created this particular environment for the chickens because it is the most efficient way to gain as much animal protein as possible to meet demand of the consumer. That being said, the chickens in this video live so that people can have meat in their meals. Their very existence is to provide for us. It’s my strong opinion that we owe it to these creatures to provide them with a life of dignity. If we’re going to kill them for our consumption, we at least owe them that.
What this all comes down to is a very strong plea from me to whomever reads this to be aware of where their meat comes from, and to consider eating less of it. No creature deserves to live a life like the chickens in that video.
You can sign a petition here.
one-quarter vegan 