Live fast, die young



Although it seems that these broilers have plenty of space, in a couple of weeks time they will be twice their size and will not be able to walk around much.

They arrived when they were 1 day old, scattered around from their boxes. Already the very first day there were a lot of casualties. A 10% loss at the end is not uncommon.

During their stay here they never saw a ray of sunlight. They could not do much more than eat or drink. In the beginning even at night time the lights were kept on, so that they could find their food.

After approximately 12 weeks the chickens could leave their barn, however facing even more cruelty: the loading, the transportation to the  slaughter plant and finally slaughtering.

They were taken by one leg, 6 birds at a time, 3 in each hand and loaded into containers in a big truck. We regularly saw the truck leaving with a chicken dangling outside the truck by its' leg, without even being noticed.  





"These intensive production methods keep meat chickens in overcrowded conditions where many of their natural behaviours cannot be expressed. Their ability to exercise, forage for food, dust-bathe and perch are restricted.

This causes chickens serious physical and psychological discomfort."  Source: Compassion in World Farming

To read more about the welfare issues of broilers look on the Humane Society of the United States website or on the Compassion in World Farming site.







Live fast Die Young filmed by Compassion in World Farming.




Back to poultry




This slideshow shows you every step from egg to slaughter of broiler chicks made by Free! (photos come from the internet)