by Khadijah Rahim
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE SUBJECT MATTER OF OUR BLOG MAY BE DIFFICULT TO READ.
WITH THIS BLOG, WE STRIVE TO EDUCATE READERS ABOUT THE HORRIFIC TREATMENT OF ANIMALS ON INDUSTRIAL FARMS AND IN INDUSTRIAL SLAUGHTERHOUSES.
WE STRIVE TO INSPIRE DIFFERENT CHOICES AND A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL ANIMALS AND PEOPLE.
Many of the animals we consider “food” live horrible lives, and no one gives a second thought to them. Unknown to many, farm animals, on Industrial Farms, also known as Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs or “Factory Farms”), in the United States, endure some of the worst treatment. In particular, pigs, chickens, sheep, turkeys, and cows live the most painful lives. Even in death, they aren’t able to pass peacefully, but instead, die brutal deaths.
It is estimated that about 30 million pigs are slaughtered for food each year in the United States. Despite their intelligence and being able to live for up to 20 years, many pigs are slaughtered at just six months of age. Pigs are crammed into trucks and sent to slaughterhouses. An estimated one million pigs will die en route to slaughterhouses due to starvation and stress. After hours, sometimes days of being crammed together, a pig will have weak lungs and legs making both walking and breathing difficult. They are then slaughtered at a rate of 1,100 pigs per hour making a humane death impossible.
Chickens lead the most miserable lives of all farm animals. Over 24 million chickens are killed for consumption each day in the United States. Able to live for 10 years, the majority of chickens are killed at just about two months of age. The journey to slaughterhouses is horrific. Packed together by the hundreds, many suffer broken wings and legs from rough handling. Denied food and water during transport, many will die along the way. Those that survive face a brutal death. Shackled upside down, chickens go through an electric water bath meant to paralyze them. They are fully conscious as they travel down to have their throats cut by a blade. As the terrified birds flap around, many will miss the blade meant to kill them. Millions of chickens each year are completely conscious when they are dunked into defeathering tanks filled with scalding water at temperatures up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
As gentle as sheep are, they are one of the most abused farm animals. An estimated 6,000 sheep are killed each year. Having lifespans of up to 12 years, most are slaughtered at only 14 months. However, many sheep don’t die through slaughtering. Instead, they die from sheering, for their wool. Shearers will step on a sheep’s neck, and kick, and punch sheep to keep them down, during sheering. Many sheep will die on the steering floor from heat exhaustion, abuse, and heart attacks.
A survey carried out among Americans stated that 88% of families confirmed having a turkey for Thanksgiving. Killed at six months of age, none of these turkeys met their 10-year life expectancy. Of the 90 million turkeys consumed each year, 46 million are from Thanksgiving alone – that’s about 51%! They are bred artificially by the millions, in order to meet demand. Once they’ve hit their 6-month birthday, they are sent to slaughterhouses to be killed for the holiday meals.
Cows are not only used for meat, but for dairy as well. In the United States, more than 29 million cows are killed for consumption each year. Aside from cattle raised for beef, dairy cows live the most depressing lives of farm animals. To keep a steady flow of milk, cows must give birth to one calf per year. As a result, dairy cows will be artificially impregnated once a year. After giving birth, a mother will then be separated from her calf. Mother cows have been known to cry for days for their calves. Many have even died due to the heartbreak of constant separation from their babies. When a dairy cow is too old and weak to carry a calf and continue milk production, they are sent to be slaughtered. Cattle are transported hundreds of miles in all weather conditions without food or water. An estimated 30,000 cattle will die along the way.
Though the lives of these farm animals are miserable, you can make changes for future animals. Try plant-based alternatives in your next meal. Switch a burger for beyond meat, the dairy for almond/oat milk, and offer tofurky at the Thanksgiving table! If you do choose to eat meat, support farmers and institutions that treat their animals with love and care. And as always, share your knowledge. Knowledge is power; you can make a difference!