Broiler
Broilers are chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) bred and raised specifically for meat production.[1] Chickens are one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and although the global population has decreased from more than 24 billion in 2003[2] to 19 billion in 2011,[3] there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird. Typical broilers have white feathers and yellowish skin.
Most commercial broilers bred for meat reach slaughter weight at between 5 to 7 weeks of age, although slower growing strains reach slaughter weight at approximately 14 weeks of age. Because of this young age, much of their behaviour and physiology is that of an immature bird. Broilers and egg laying hen are the same species and share many characteristics, however, due to the rapid growth and selection for enlarged breast muscles, broilers are susceptible to different welfare concerns, particularly skeletal. Broilers are usually grown as mixed-sex flocks in large sheds under intensive conditions, but some strains can be grown as free-range flocks.
Most commercial broilers bred for meat reach slaughter weight at between 5 to 7 weeks of age, although slower growing strains reach slaughter weight at approximately 14 weeks of age. Because of this young age, much of their behaviour and physiology is that of an immature bird. Broilers and egg laying hen are the same species and share many characteristics, however, due to the rapid growth and selection for enlarged breast muscles, broilers are susceptible to different welfare concerns, particularly skeletal. Broilers are usually grown as mixed-sex flocks in large sheds under intensive conditions, but some strains can be grown as free-range flocks.
Live Fast Die Young - the life of a meat chicken
New EU legislation offers little protection for chickens
The EU Directive on chickens reared for meat (broilers) came into force at the beginning of July 2010. The Directive is weak but at least for the first time we have species-specific legislation for the five billion chickens reared each year in the EU. As a first step it is useful, but we are determined to build on it.
“There is a danger that the Directive will mislead consumers into thinking that chickens are now properly protected by the law, but the harsh reality is that the Directive allows the factory farming of chickens to continue largely unchecked,” said Peter Stevenson, Chief Policy Advisor for Compassion in World Farming.
In the UK and much of Europe up to 50,000 broilers may be packed into a shed that is so overcrowded that, as the birds get bigger, one can barely see the floor – it’s just a sea of chickens. The Directive does nothing to halt this – indeed it permits around 18 chickens (in some cases over 20) to be crammed into each square meter of the floor.
Perhaps the worst problem facing these birds is that they have been bred to grow to slaughter weight so quickly that each year millions suffer from painful leg disorders and are at higher risk of heart disease. The Directive does nothing to end the use of these fast-growing breeds despite overwhelming scientific evidence that the use of such breeds is a major cause of lameness in broilers.
Source
The EU Directive on chickens reared for meat (broilers) came into force at the beginning of July 2010. The Directive is weak but at least for the first time we have species-specific legislation for the five billion chickens reared each year in the EU. As a first step it is useful, but we are determined to build on it.
“There is a danger that the Directive will mislead consumers into thinking that chickens are now properly protected by the law, but the harsh reality is that the Directive allows the factory farming of chickens to continue largely unchecked,” said Peter Stevenson, Chief Policy Advisor for Compassion in World Farming.
In the UK and much of Europe up to 50,000 broilers may be packed into a shed that is so overcrowded that, as the birds get bigger, one can barely see the floor – it’s just a sea of chickens. The Directive does nothing to halt this – indeed it permits around 18 chickens (in some cases over 20) to be crammed into each square meter of the floor.
Perhaps the worst problem facing these birds is that they have been bred to grow to slaughter weight so quickly that each year millions suffer from painful leg disorders and are at higher risk of heart disease. The Directive does nothing to end the use of these fast-growing breeds despite overwhelming scientific evidence that the use of such breeds is a major cause of lameness in broilers.
Source
"Concentration camps": Secret film exposes sickening cruelty of UK chicken factory farms - mirror