Factory Farming

The phrase ‘factory farming’ delineates the very essence of animal cruelty, and lack of emotion and care. Also referred to as concentrated animal feeding operations, this practice was created for mass production of animals for human consumption to maximize profits while using as few resources as possible. Factory farming is the primary way that the U.S. and other countries produce animal products. Not only are the animals suffering in this process, it causes damage to surrounding environments and communities.

There are several things that happen on the farms that create harmful environments for the animals which include mutilations, mutations, unnatural diets, and living in tight and over-crowded confinement.  The animals suffer inhumane conditions, fear, and abuse. While there are laws in place to prohibit inhumane conditions, the USDA rarely enforces them by checking in with the farms.  They rely on the farm owners to enforce humane treatment for the animals. But the demand for the products requires rapid processes and adding in care for the animals requires time and energy regarded as best used on the fast production.

To control the animals who are forced to live in tight conditions, practices have become routine such as removing the beaks from chickens, a painful process that is meant to keep them from pecking at each other which causes infections, cannibalism, and death. Cows and pigs have their tails removed through a process called tail-docking. The stressful environments of living in tight confinement cause them to bite at each other’s tails, more so in pigs. In cows this practice is also done due to the ease it creates for humans during the milking process. Genetic manipulation is also done to certain breeds to create the body desired for production. Such as broiler chickens that grow larger breasts due to the popularity of breast meat.

Legislation has five freedoms in place for the living conditions of animals. They are freedom from malnutrition, discomfort, injury and disease, and fear and distress. And freedom to express normal behavior. Factory farming makes it impossible for these conditions to be adhered to. A common practice on factory farms is to the routine use of antibiotics given to the animals to prevent disease. However, this practice has created antibiotic resistance in humans. Factories are also being set up in lower income areas with the assumption they will not notice any air pollution or water contamination that may be created by the factory farming, referred to as environmental racism.

Before researching this concept, I had no idea this was being done. I am by nature not a lover of meat. I have not had red meat since I was a child and was not aware I had the choice. I eat chicken occasionally.  I do like seafood. But in general, I prefer fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Watching Food, Inc. and researching factory farming has me seriously considering going vegetarian or pescatarian. The inhumane treatment of the animals is unacceptable to my life philosophy and how I feel about animals. I have laughingly often told my friends I am almost a vegetarian and honestly eat chicken when there is not another choice. So this has given me much to contemplate not only for my own health, but for my role as a mentor to others.

References

The Humane League at Factory Farming: What It Is and Why It's a Problem (thehumaneleague.org)

Live Kindly at What Is Factory Farming? Everything You Need to Know (livekindly.com)