The forgotten mothers of the chickens we eat

Abstract

The rampant consumption of chickens for food comes with severe animal suffering. The article highlights the plight of broiler breeder hens, the mothers of the chickens we eat, who endure extreme hunger, stress, and psychological distress. The industry’s aggressive genetic selection for fast growth and voracious appetite in chickens is coupled with feed restriction to control their weight, leading to chronic hunger, anxiety, and stereotypic behavior. Despite a decline in chicken consumption in recent years, millions of broiler breeder hens continue to suffer. The article calls attention to the urgent need for reducing or eliminating chicken consumption and pursuing alternative food sources to alleviate the suffering of these animals. – AI-generated abstract.