To: Costco, Loblaw, Metro, M&M Food Market, Sobeys
Chickens are arguably among the most abused animals in the world. I am a caring Canadian consumer who believes that these sensitive animals deserve to be given more humane housing, transportation and slaughtering.
Most broiler chickens have been genetically selected for fast growth. Chickens bred for fast growth cause the birds immense suffering. In addition to an extremely short lifespan of just 33 - 35 days, fast growth genetics cause:
Moreover, these birds are kept in crowded, dark conditions that cause stress, ammonia and litter burns. Once they reach slaughter weight, their transport and slaughter result in further suffering from rough handling and outdated slaughter techniques.
These extreme practices need to stop. Please require your broiler chicken suppliers to:
Hens should be:
Chickens can freeze to death in winter or suffocate in summer when being transported to slaughter. Require your producers to hire trailers that moderate the internal temperature. This would result in a more humane ride for the animals and a lower death rate on arrival.
These are the most basic welfare needs. Please ask the suppliers of the chicken products to adhere to the above standards.
For additional welfare information for broiler chickens, please see:
5-Step Animal Welfare Ratings Standards for Chickens Raised for Meat 3.0
U of G Researchers Prove Slow-Growing Chickens More Humane in Groundbreaking Study
For additional welfare information for laying hens, please see:
RSPCA welfare standards for laying hens
Reducing animal products reduces suffering! It also happens to be great for you and for the environment.
Some common brands that make great faux-chicken:
Try a few different things, and you're sure to find something you like. It's also easy to make healthy seitan at home, from wheat gluten flour. Seitan has more protein than meat, minus unhealthy animal fats.
Google searches on veganism have trippled between 2005 and 2015, as more and more people are learning about meat-free living.
Google, 2015.
About 1 in 3 Canadians, or 12 million people, are trying to eat less meat or are vegetarian. 12% of all 18-34 year olds are fully or mostly vegetarian.
Vancouver Humane Society, 2015.
More than 50% of Canadians are open to reducing their overall meat consumption and eating less meat when eating out.
Vegetarian Resource Group, 2010, and others.
Giving a small amount monthly works best - every bit helps.
You can also mail a cheque to:
131 Bloor Street West Suite 200/140
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1R8