Investigations in Spain and Hungary reveal horrific conditions on chicken farms

Recent investigations in Spain and Hungary have uncovered horrific conditions on chicken farms across these countries. The investigations revealed appalling conditions such as dead chickens left to decompose among living ones, injured birds unable to stand, and overcrowded living environments that heighten the risk of disease transmission. These intensive farming systems not only cause prolonged suffering for animals but also pose a serious threat to public health by contributing to the overuse of antibiotics and the development of antibiotic resistance.

Animal protection organizations are calling on the European Commission to enhance welfare standards for chickens raised for meat, including implementing a ban on fast-growing breeds, limiting stocking densities, and redesigning farming systems to better meet the physical and emotional needs of these birds. The industry must take responsibility for modernizing its practices to combat the systemic suffering endured by these animals in the EU.