There are two different types of chickens raised for human consumption: broiler and battery hens. Broiler hens are meat birds. Battery hens are egg laying hens. Both lead a equally cruel life.
Broiler chickens are birds raised for their meat.
Chicken was once considered a special treat, for example: Sunday dinner; today it is eaten often by many people because it is considered to be healthier than most other meats. The chickens are kept in large windowless buildings. The environment they are raised is meant for producing the biggest chicken in the shortest time at the lowest cost. Their food and water is delivered automatically from bins and tanks. Their lighting is also controlled. The conditions the chickens are kept in are so unnatural that they will go crazy and will fight with each other. This is why the chickens are de-beaked (the chickens upper beak is cut off). Then when the chickens are considered ready for slaughter they are thrown into crates and loaded onto trucks. Then when they arrive at the slaughter plant, the crates are unloaded and then after a while the chickens are pulled out and hung up by one leg to have their throats cut. The average life span of a chicken that is properly taken care of is about 7 years but broiler or meat birds usually only live about 6 to 7 weeks until they reach their target weight.
Chicken was once considered a special treat, for example: Sunday dinner; today it is eaten often by many people because it is considered to be healthier than most other meats. The chickens are kept in large windowless buildings. The environment they are raised is meant for producing the biggest chicken in the shortest time at the lowest cost. Their food and water is delivered automatically from bins and tanks. Their lighting is also controlled. The conditions the chickens are kept in are so unnatural that they will go crazy and will fight with each other. This is why the chickens are de-beaked (the chickens upper beak is cut off). Then when the chickens are considered ready for slaughter they are thrown into crates and loaded onto trucks. Then when they arrive at the slaughter plant, the crates are unloaded and then after a while the chickens are pulled out and hung up by one leg to have their throats cut. The average life span of a chicken that is properly taken care of is about 7 years but broiler or meat birds usually only live about 6 to 7 weeks until they reach their target weight.
Battery or egg-laying hens are chicken raised for their eggs. They are kept in small wire cages called battery cages where they will live until they are no longer productive or die. Several techniques are used to ensure a constant high production. They will often get caught in the wire and become crippled.