Living Conditions of Factory Animals Essay Example
Living Conditions of Factory Animals Essay Example

Living Conditions of Factory Animals Essay Example

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  • Pages: 7 (1859 words)
  • Published: November 19, 2021
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Animals are mainly reared for their productivity and resources that are accrued from them by the humans. In a bid to reduce the costs and increase the level of revenues, farmers expose the animals to the most terrible living conditions. An analysis of the different conditions and aspects that these animals suffer reveals the extent to which they are severely exposed to poor living standards. The high demand for the animal products is a main driver for factory farming. Since these animals are produced for commercial purposes they live in tough conditions that are only aimed at increasing their productivity. Although there are set conditions and policies that have increasingly been developed to control this problem, it has not achieved the set targets and completely controlled the bad living conditions for animals th

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at are mass produced. This paper aims at assessing the different living conditions for animals that makes factory farming a misery for animals that are reared and grow with these factory farms. The paper uses examples of animals that face different tough environments to expound on the argument for the poor living conditions of animals in these factory farms.

One of the poor living conditions that animals face is the lack of natural light in the areas where they live. The animals are not given enough lighting living in the dark for 24hours every night (Glenn 67). It is important for animals to be exposed to natural lighting that helps in their growth and development. One of the animals that face these poor conditions in many factories is a pig that is not given enough room to get direct light that is important in

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developing as an animal. The pigs are also exposed to a lot of ammonia with the pig farms looking to have the grid floors that force them to suffer all day. Combined with the lack of sunlight and the ample air the animals are faced with massive problems since they are not exposed to the natural settings and models that are used. There are other animals that face the same problems with the rabbits also having to withstand the same models or setting.

The animals are not given enough space so that they can turn and lie down naturally. Since the farmers look to increase the level of yield, the animals are in constant danger as the farmer looks to increase their yield (Fraser 35). They are therefore, squeezed and stored in places that they cannot fit comfortably. For instance in the transportation of chicken, they are kept in crates where there is a very small space. They are bundled together making it difficult to gain sufficient air since they travel for long distances. The problem of being bundled together is also critical for animals that are violent to each other. The turkeys for instance are bundled together increasing cases of cannibalism and loss of feathers as they are in constant wars. There needs to be enough space for the animals to move around within the areas where the animals live. It is important to ensure that the animals enjoy ample space that creates enough aeration and natural living for the animals.

Since the owners expose the animals to tough conditions, they give the animals antibiotics that ensure that the animals grow faster and can live well

under these conditions. The farmers are interested in the yield that they get from each animal therefore; they are committed to change the normal growth through giving the animals different antibiotics. The harsh conditions where the animals are reared are also a contributing factor as the farmers look to ensure that they get the best treatment for different conditions accordingly (Stathopoulos 407). For instance the young calves are given different medication and drugs to speed their growth. This increases the chances of these animals starting their maturity at an early age and as a result their productivity is increased.

Genetically modified animals have also become rampant with factories looking to increase their yield exponentially. Farmers are looking to satisfy more people and are increase the yield that could be produced through genetic modification. These animals are given the different hormones or drugs that are meant to ensure that they grow and produce more yield. Animals such as chicken have been genetically modified to produce extra-large bodies. This has been detrimental to the animal’s living since most cannot support the weight of their legs. It is a major problem for many animals since these changes expose them to dangers since their natural bodies cannot sustain some of the changes orchestrated (Kirby 112). The genetically modified animals are however, popular among the people since they have more weight or better products. It makes it essential therefore, to understand and have a single model that is essential in creating the best criteria accordingly.

The factory farms are also very specific on the breed and the strength that they wish to see in their animals. The chicks after hatchery are moved

to a laying or fattening farm depending on their sex. In the laying farm however, the chicks that grow to become cockerels in these farms are either killed with carbon dioxide in a polythene bag or are shredded (Fraser 95). The factory farms are very selective and look for what can increase their yield and in the process increase their profits. These chicks face a cruel method of death and are discarded without any regard shown by the members of these farms. It is a massive problem that is faced by many animals as the farmers do not view these animals as fit for business. The farmers are however right to look for methods to reduce their costs, but killing animals with the most cruel methods do not solve the problem properly.

There are other animals that have to face castration or changes in their bodies to be attractive to the market. Factory farmers are constantly looking for the best methods and models that are aimed at creating good markets for their produce. The farmers therefore, castrate their animals so that they can be bought and used by different farms worldwide. The markets force these animals to undergo a lot of pain as they look to increase the level of marketability for their products. It is pertinent to understand that animals need to live in the best conditions that match their behaviors to ensure proper growth within the society (Fraser 645). Depending on individual models that are used and the level of care needed in these farms it is important to increase the controls accordingly. The boars are castrated in order to fit the markets, so

too are other animals that look to markets where some of their features are not appealing. It is a tough environment where the animals have to bend to the market principles and laws of demand and supply by man.

Transportation is also a major aspect that animals face in their living conditions in the factory farms. As animals are moved, they are not given the best conditions that can help in giving a safe and good environment for the animals. The animals are abused and taken through poor means of transport and conditions while on the move. Take the race horse for instance; it is taken through the best means of transport where it is given the best aspects while on transport to ensure that it is productive on the track. However, factory animals do not have the same treatment and are mostly given the most poor conditions and methods of transport. The farmers look to reduce the level of costs and in the process increase their profits therefore, the animals are taken through very poor means (Fraser 636). The chickens are bundled together while the pigs are also stocked in large numbers to ensure that they reduce the costs of transportation for these animals. Animals are also starved a day before transportation to ensure that they do not vomit during transportation. The stocking options that are available to farmers are vast but the farmers prefer to engage in models that reduce the costs of transportation thereby creating a wide gap between the models that are used accordingly.

It is important to note that although animals that live in factory farms face these massive forms of abuse

the world has changed in terms of the horrors in animals. There are different organizations that have been set to ensure that they monitor the treatment of animals by people. However, according to the information and aspects that has been highlighted above, the controls are not sufficient. There needs to be a restructuring in the policies and controls that govern factory farming. Whereas the changes that have been developed have helped in curbing animal abuse, in terms of factory abuse this has not been sufficient (Fraser 87). It is also important to control the models in a dynamic process and not look for the more rigid and static processes. There have been different controls that have been developed but the static nature has seen most of these farmers circumvent the rules and still manage to inculcate animal abuse. Animals need better models and processes to ensure that they are not abused. There needs to be structures that highlight the importance of proper conditions being introduced within the animal setting especially for factory farming in the society.

In conclusion, it is critical to note that although the farmers are looking for a better paying and high yield occupation, they need to ensure that animal abuse is controlled. Before embarking on developing the best living conditions that they introduce to their setting, it is important to understand its effects on the animals. The organizations and controls can never be efficient until people realize that animals need to be treated with dignity. This is not to say that people should not enjoy their meals but before slaughtering the animal make sure it has lived in the most natural environment

that could be provided.

Works Cited

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  • Fraser, David. "Understanding animal welfare." Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 50.1 (2008): 1.
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  • Kirby, David. Animal factory: The looming threat of industrial pig, dairy, and poultry farms to humans and the environment. Macmillan, 2010.
  • Shriver, Adam. "Not Grass-Fed, but at Least Pain-Free." New York Times 159.54956 (2010): 27.
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  • Stathopoulos, Anastasia S. "You Are What Your Food Eats: How Regulation of Factory Farm Conditions Could Improve Human Health and Animal Welfare Alike." NYUJ Legis. & Pub. Pol'y 13 (2010): 407.
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