Chickens used for egg production are among the most widely abused of all farm animals. In 2023, to meet the American demand for eggs, over 379 million hens were confined in small cages or crowded barns and expected to lay nearly 114 billion eggs. From hatching to slaughter, egg-laying hens are subjected to mutilation, confinement, and abuse, and are deprived of the ability to live their lives as active, social animals.

Every year, over 9 billion chickens are slaughtered for meat in the U.S., making chickens the most commonly killed domestic animal—95% of commercially slaughtered animals in America are chickens. Called “broilers” by the industry, these curious, social birds are treated simply as production units, selectively bred and fed for abnormally fast growth without consideration for their well-being. They are slaughtered when they are still babies, at around five weeks of age.

When allowed to live naturally, chickens have complex communication with specific meanings. Chickens have great memories and are able to distinguish between more than 100 faces of their species. They are intelligent individuals with unique personalities. With proper care, chickens can live 8-10 years.