597 Million Chickens are Dying Each Year Before Reaching the Plate

In the U.S., chickens, the country’s top source of meat, are dying in staggering numbers long before they ever make it to consumers’ plates. In 2021 alone, approximately 556 million chickens perished at hatcheries or farms, unable to reach the slaughterhouse. These birds were discarded in landfills, incinerators, or pet food supplies, adding to a growing food waste problem. An additional 41 million chickens died during transport or were deemed unfit for consumption due to disease or injury, according to a recent report by Animal Equality.

This mortality rate, accounting for nearly 6% of the 9.8 billion chickens raised annually in the U.S., dwarfs the combined number of turkeys, pigs, and cattle slaughtered for meat each year. The shocking number of chickens lost reflects systemic issues in the poultry industry, where deaths often result from neglect, rough handling, disease, and breeding practices.

A major contributor to the rise in mortality is the industry’s relentless drive to breed chickens that grow faster and larger. Over the past several decades, chickens have been bred to grow nearly twice as large in less than half the time. This rapid growth has caused numerous health problems, including leg injuries and heart failure, which prevent the birds from reaching food and water, leading to death by starvation or dehydration.

While antibiotics once played a role in preventing disease in these overcrowded, unsanitary environments, the growing awareness of antibiotic resistance has led to a decline in their use. However, this shift has not stopped the rising mortality rates. Some chicken companies, such as Tyson Foods, have reversed their stance on antibiotic use, introducing new types to help control disease outbreaks while still grappling with the consequences of rapid chicken growth.

Efforts to reduce chicken mortality have met with mixed results. Some companies, like Perdue Farms, have made strides in improving chicken welfare by refining breeding practices, enhancing hatchery conditions, and eliminating antibiotics. Perdue’s mortality rate, though still above average, is lower than many competitors, showing that changes are possible.

Despite these improvements, poultry production in the U.S. remains poorly regulated. There are no federal laws protecting chickens from the harsh conditions they face at hatcheries, farms, or slaughterhouses. Without stricter regulations on animal welfare and production practices, the poultry industry will continue to prioritize profit over the well-being of the animals it produces.

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