Animal stress in factory farming

Overcrowding of housed farm animals
Inadequate lighting in factory farming units

Nature

Due to the closely confined conditions of factory farming units, some animals die of stress from overcrowding. Productivity under stress tends to be less. Cannibalism increases in overcrowded conditions, particularly with hens.

Incidence

According to behaviour studies, the optimum space allowance per hen is 750 sq cm. This is often not reached: average allowance in practice is 450 - 550 sq cm. Hens are often crowded together 4 or 5 to a cage, though 3 hens kept in a 4-hen cage produced 35 extra eggs each per laying season. A pronounced drop in efficiency has been noted among pigs kept under extreme conditions of intensive farming. Debeaking and dim lighting are used to check cannibalism among chickens in overcrowded pens, but not always with success.

Claim

Animal stress in factory farming is a critical issue that demands urgent attention. The inhumane conditions—overcrowding, lack of natural behaviors, and harsh treatment—inflict immense suffering on sentient beings. This not only compromises their welfare but also poses serious risks to human health through the spread of disease and antibiotic resistance. We must prioritize ethical farming practices and advocate for the humane treatment of animals, as their well-being is intrinsically linked to our own.

Counter-claim

Animal stress in factory farming is often exaggerated and misrepresented. The primary focus should be on food production efficiency and meeting global demand. Animals are raised for human consumption, and their welfare is secondary to economic needs. The industry implements measures to ensure productivity, and concerns about stress are largely unfounded. Prioritizing animal comfort over human nutrition and economic stability is misguided and distracts from more pressing issues facing society today.