The welfare improvements include: replacing ineffective electric stunning and throat-slicing with methods of killing (controlled-atmosphere gas killing) that cause less suffering, improvements in living space for chickens, a switch to methods of chicken gathering that result in less stress and injuries, and an end to feeding chickens antibiotics and other drugs for nontherapeutic purposes. Chickens raised for their flesh (called “broilers” by the chicken industry) are crammed by the tens of thousands into filthy warehouse-like sheds. Today's "broiler" chickens have been genetically altered to grow twice as fast and twice as large as their ancestors. It is common for chickens to suffer leg deformities, lameness and heart failure. When they are only 6 or 7 weeks old, they are trucked to slaughter.
Please also contact KFC's parent company, Yum! Brands (online comment form).
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