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Factory Farming Facts

Factory Farming Facts
Factory farming is the practice of raising animals in high density situations to produce the highest output at the lowest possible cost. The main food products of factory farming are meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. Factory farming became a viable method of raising livestock once the discovery of vitamins was minerals were made. Antibiotics and vaccines made it possible to raise livestock with reduced disease. Factory farming in the U.S., U.K., and other industrialized countries became a reality in 1966, when they began to raise beef, pigs, and dairy cattle on factory farms. By 2005, 40% of the world's meat production was done on factory farms. Today it is estimated that two of every three animals worldwide are factory farmed. Factory farming is being scrutinized because of the conditions livestock is raised in.
Interesting Factory Farming Facts:
Factory farming is also known as intensive animal farming, and also as industrial livestock production.
Factory farms often squeeze large numbers of animals into small spaces to increase profit. Many animals cannot move about, or even lie down because of the cramped living conditions.
In order to reduce the risk of disease among factory farmed animals, they are fed antibiotics. The antibiotics also make the animals grow faster and gain more weight.
The majority of factory farmed animals are genetically modified. This means their genes have been altered to help them grow larger. In some cases, often with chickens, they grow so big that their legs can't support their weight. These animals will often suffer because they can no longer reach food or water.
Factory farmed animals are often genetically modified to produce more milk or more eggs.
Factory farmed livestock is often fed food such as soy, wheat, and corn. These foods have been heavily treated with pesticides. The pesticides are consumed by the livestock, which is then consumed by humans.
In factory farms where ducks, chickens, and turkeys are raised, it is common to remove the beaks of these birds. This reduces pecking and cannibalism that would normally occur in such overcrowded environments.
The average chicken purchased in a grocery store today has roughly one-third less protein than it would have 40 years ago. It also contains twice the fat.
It is estimated that 99% of the meat sold in the United States has been factory farm raised.
In 2013 alone, there were 36.8 billion pounds of broiler chickens factory farmed in the United States.
Chickens, turkeys, and ducks are exempt from the Human Slaughter Act, which means that in the United States, the factory farm owner can slaughter the fowl any way they see fit.
The majority of the antibiotics (80% or more) used in the world are fed to livestock. Despite the argument that this reduces disease, the reason for antibiotic use is mainly to increase growth rapidly.
Antibiotics do not degrade, which means that a human that consumes animal products raised with antibiotics is also ingesting antibiotics. This is a major health concern in regards to the risk of humans becoming resistant to antibiotics.


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