Now it’s
the chicken industry that is under attack by the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The
society wants the industry to switch back to older genetics that slow down growth
rates, to barns with natural lighting and more floor space per bird and with straw
bales so the birds can exercise and perch.
The
National Chicken Council has responded by saying the birds are fine because
mortality rates are low, indicating good health and welfare.
"The
ASPCA's description of poultry production in the United States is not based on
fact and in no way represents the realities of modern poultry production or the
health and welfare of today's chickens,” said NCC spokesman Tom Super.
“The U.S.
national broiler flock is incredibly healthy and is the envy of the world.,” he
said.
Mortality
and condemnation rates for broilers, the most sensitive indicators of the
health and well-being of any flock, are at historical lows,” said Super.
Now, just wait for an underground video to surface, showing staff walking in the midst of a tightly-packed flock of near market-ready chickens and with their hands full of dead birds.
