Biology:Franken-chickens
Franken-chickens, also called frankenchickens, are chickens genetically engineered and bred at an unnatural rate on factory farms.[1]
Unlike natural chickens slaughtered after an average of 100 days, franken-chickens are slaughtered at around 47 days old and usually weigh more than twice the size of natural chickens.[1] They also cost less[2] and are less healthy to eat.[3] The speed at which franken-chickens grow makes them cost less and can lead to a muscle disease that makes the meat higher in fat and less healthy to eat.[4][5]
Breeding
Selective breeding, as well as antibiotics and hormones, is largely responsible for the abnormal growth of franken-chickens. As a result, the chickens grow fast but suffer from lameness and deformed or twisted legs due to heavy weight on light bones, high fat, diseases and premature death.[6][1]
Criticism
In August 2021, Open Cages, which coined the term, released video footage claiming to show images of fast-growing birds deformed and dying on four intensive chicken farms. Weeks later, dozens of Morrisons' employee led nationwide protests claiming the supermarket sells franken-chickens.[7] The Humane League has campaigned against the breeding of Franken-chickens.[8] The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also condemned the method of breeding.[9]
Marks & Spencer announced it will stop selling franken-chickens in their products by Autumn 2022. Waitrose and KFC have also pledged to stop selling them by 2026.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Franken-Chickens Growing Six Times Faster Than a Century Ago" (in en-US). 2013-09-16. https://mercyforanimals.org/blog/franken-chickens-growing-six-times-faster-than-a-century-ago/.
- ↑ "What are 'Frankenchickens' and why are they washed with chlorine" (in en-US). 2017-07-31. https://www.foodindustry.com/articles/frankenchickens-washed-in-chlorine/.
- ↑ "What is a broiler chicken, what are the issues" (in en-US). https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/battery-hens-and-broiler-chickens/.
- ↑ "Supermarket 'Frankenchickens' suffered high-fat muscle disease" (in en). 2020-09-03. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/supermarket-chicken-meat-asda-aldi-lidl-white-stripe-disease-a9701951.html.
- ↑ "Animal charity raises concerns over 'frankenchickens'" (in en-GB). BBC News. 2020-10-09. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-54452970.
- ↑ "Will that be Frankenchicken or stem cell beef?" (in en-US). https://www.news24.com/news24/Archives/City-Press/Will-that-be-Frankenchicken-or-stem-cell-beef-20150429.
- ↑ "Morrisons employee leads nationwide protests over ‘Frankenchickens’" (in en). 2021-08-16. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/morrisons-protests-franken-chickens-welfare-b1903038.html.
- ↑ "We're challenging the Government - The Humane League UK". https://thehumaneleague.org.uk/article/judicial-review.
- ↑ McKay, Hannah (2021-09-03). "Use of 'franken-chickens' against UK Law, animal charity says" (in en-US). https://www.theanimalreader.com/2021/09/03/use-of-franken-chickens-against-uk-law-animal-charity-says/.
- ↑ "Just how ‘well’ is the welfare in the meat industry? - Protect - Speak up stop harm" (in en-GB). 2021-08-16. https://protect-advice.org.uk/just-how-well-is-the-welfare-in-the-meat-industry/.
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