Welfare Issues in Animal Farming
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Section 1.
- Introduce your problem, describe the major/relevant issues mentioned about it in what you've read/watched, etc
My problem is issues within animal factories. Some of the major issues I have found focus on the unethical ways farmers or companies treat the animals they are responsible for.
- What are you researching?
I am researching some of the ethical issues that happen in animal factories.
- What are the major/relevant themes/issues mentioned in what you’ve found?
The main concerns identified in my research are animal welfare, environmental impact, and policy issues.
- Why are you choosing to focus on it in this course?
I am choosing to focus on this as I want to learn more about it, and feel like its a interesting topic.
My three research questions
- How do painful physical alterations affect animals in animal factories?
Research question 2
what effects does it have on animals when not all of them are covered by law in animal factories?
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research question 3
How is selective breeding effecting animals in animal factories?
Section 2
Article:
Inhumane practices on factory farms. (n.d.). Animal Welfare Institute. https://awionline.org/content/inhumane-practices-factory-farms
- How does this specific source contribute to your research?
The article and the journal in which it was published are both focused on animal welfare. It is a reliable source that I will use for my research on the subject.
- What did you learn from it? What is the source about, or what is the author’s point?
- The article highlights the cruel physical alterations carried out on factory farm animals. For instance, debeaking of chickens is a common practice in chicken factories. These alterations are done for the most without pain management as the Food and Drugs (FDA) is strict about the uses of drugs in farm animals, to ensure that no leftover drugs are given out to the general public. While there are no FDA-approved drugs for pain relief. Some drugs are that are "extra label", that can be given to the animal, but must be given by a veterinarian. however, some vets do not want to be on record for providing these drugs to the animals.
Claire Roberson, October 14th, 2022, animal equality
How does this specific source contribute to your research?
Although this article seems to focus on highlighting the negatives, and some of the information may be inaccurate, it does shed light on the problems with chicken farming that are not addressed in the United States Humane Slaughter Act. This helped me gain a better understanding of the issue and assisted me in conducting further research on the topic. The article may have its flaws, but it still serves as a valuable starting point for delving deeper into the complexities of chicken farming and the ethical considerations surrounding it. By addressing the gaps in the existing legislation, we can work towards creating a more humane and sustainable system for chicken farming.
- What did you learn from it? What is the source about, or what is the author’s point?
This article covers a lot of different topics in animal farming. Going over different animal factories and the harm they cause, to convince people to go to a plant-based diet. However, I used the portions of what it says about chickens mostly to conduct research. I learned in this article that chickens are not covered in the United States Humane Slaughter Act which protects from needless suffering. As they aren't covered, chicken farmers tend to force thousands of chickens into small spaces. Which causes health concerns, and doesn't allow the animal to behave how they normally would. They can also have questionable practices when it comes to slaughter or the daily life of the chicken.
Article 3:
- How does this specific source contribute to your research? This article sheds light on the detrimental effects of selective breeding in animal farming. It highlighted how the practice has led to various issues within animal farms, impacting the well-being of the animals involved. The information presented was eye-opening and made me more aware of the challenges posed by selective breeding in the agricultural industry. information presented was eye-opening and made me more aware of the challenges posed by selective breeding in the agricultural industry.
- What did you learn from it? What is the source about, or what is the author’s point? This article covers a lot. It details the history of selective breeding and why it has become more prevalent. It also addresses animal welfare and, most importantly, delves into the issues associated with selective breeding and the various diseases and problems they have caused for the animals used in animal farming.
Article 4:
What is chicken factory farming, and how bad is it?. New Roots Institute. (n.d.). https://www.newrootsinstitute.org/articles/what-is-chicken-factory-farming-and-how-bad-is-it
What is the source about, or the author's point?
The author talks about, chicken factory farming which is an industrial system that prioritizes efficiency and profit over animal welfare confining nearly all chickens in cramped, inhumane conditions. It mentions that layer hens live in battery cages, producing eggs until their productivity declines, while broiler chickens are bred for rapid growth. Leading to severe health issues. The industry employs practices such as debeaking and mass culling of male chicks, causing widespread suffering. Additionally, the overuse of antibiotics promotes resistant bacteria, and the environmental impact includes significant carbon emissions and pollution. Advocacy efforts focus on improving chicken welfare and promoting more sustainable, ethical food systems.
How does this specific source contribute to your research?
I can use this specific article to contribute to my research by using it to help me understand the industry's practices, ethical concerns, and impacts. It provides insights into the prevalence of intensive farming, detailing the conditions endured by layer hens and broiler chickens. Moreover, it addresses ethical issues like the mass culling of male chicks and the use of antibiotics, while also highlighting environmental repercussions.
Article 5:
What is the source about, or the author's point?
The article addresses the prevalence of factory farming in the U.S. and globally, emphasizing its significant impact on animal welfare. It defines factory farms as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), where animals are confined without outdoor access for extended periods. Despite challenges in data accuracy, estimates suggest that 99% of U.S. livestock are factory-farmed, amounting to over 10 billion animals in 2017. Globally, about 74% of land livestock are factory-farmed, with estimates totaling around 23 billion animals. While uncertainties persist, the evidence highlights the widespread presence of factory farming and its implications for animal suffering on a massive scale.
How does this specific source contribute to your research?
this article provides valuable insights into the prevalence and implications of factory farming, . It offers detailed information on the conditions and scale of factory farming operations, both in the U.S. and globally, shedding light on the extent of animal suffering within the industry.
Article 6:
What is the source about, or the author's point?
The article from the Times Opinion’s Holiday Giving Guide 2021 emphasizes the impact and importance of strategic charitable giving, particularly in the realms of poverty alleviation and animal welfare. GiveDirectly is highlighted for its straightforward approach of providing unconditional cash transfers to the world’s poorest people. This method is supported by evidence that recipients, being experts on their own needs, use the money effectively to improve their lives.
For those concerned with animal welfare, the article focuses on the vast scale of suffering endured by factory-farmed animals, citing staggering numbers from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. It discusses two main strategies to address this issue: amelioration and substitution. Amelioration efforts aim to improve the conditions of farm animals. Substitution involves replacing animal-based products with alternatives. The article underscores that addressing the cruelty of factory farming and the environmental impacts of meat production requires improving current practices and innovating new alternatives. Donations to the recommended organizations can help drive these changes, contributing to a future where animal suffering is significantly reduced and more sustainable practices are normal.
How does this specific source contribute to your research?
I was initially searching for articles about how people can help solve the issue. This peer-reviewed article effectively outlines the problems of animal factory farming, provides information about charities people can donate to, and explains how these charities use the money they receive.
Article 7:
What is the source about, or the author's point?
Many people are unaware of the origins of their meat, dairy, or eggs, often imagining idyllic farm scenes. However, today's industrial farming is far from this image, characterized by confined, harsh environments. Factory farming, or concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), is a form of intensive animal agriculture prevalent in the U.S. and increasingly worldwide, involving both terrestrial farms and aquaculture.
Factory farming prioritizes high yield and low cost, leading to significant animal suffering. Animals endure extreme confinement, mutilations, and inhumane treatment, often unable to exhibit natural behaviors. Practices like debeaking in chickens, tail-docking in cows and pigs, and genetic manipulation to enhance desirable traits are common.
Animals on factory farms are often slaughtered under cruel conditions, with methods such as live-shackle slaughter for chickens and captive-bolt guns for cows often causing undue suffering. Despite some legal protections, like the 28-Hour Law and the Humane Slaughter Act, abuses persist, exacerbated by "ag-gag" laws that protect farms from scrutiny.
Advocates argue that factory farming is indefensible due to its impact on animals, people, and the environment. They encourage support for movements against cruel practices and promote plant-based alternatives to create a more compassionate food industry.
How does this specific source contribute to your research?
Originally, I was researching ways to improve the lives of animals in large factories. This article delved into the legal issues and provided contacts for addressing ongoing concerns.
Section 3.
- Having completed your research, what have you learned?
After having completed my researsh my newfound knowledge about the lack of comprehensive legal protection for chickens and other birds in comparison to other livestock animals is indeed surprising and significant. This revelation underscores the complexities and disparities within animal welfare regulations, highlighting areas where advocacy and policy reform may be warranted. In conclusion, animal factories have a lot of room for improvement.
- What does what you’ve learned have to do with themes, concepts, or issues we’ve covered in class?
A big chunck of what I have taken from this class is the web and how it ties everything together. By recognizing the myriad ways in which animals have been utilized throughout history and now, there are connections that have shaped human societies and cultures. My exploration of the ethical considerations surrounding animal factories adds a layer of complexity to this discussion, prompting critical reflection on the implications of our interactions with animals within industrialized settings. Despite the ethical challenges posed by factory farming.
- What claims can you make about your topic and the Human Planet more generally?
My answer to this question and the previous one is very similar. By examining the interconnectedness between humans and animals, we can gain insight into the history of humanity and the planet. Studying the intricate web of relationships that exist between humans and animals allows us to trace the ways in which societies have evolved, adapted, and interacted with the natural world throughout history. This examination not only sheds light on the development of human civilization but also provides a deeper understanding of the impact of human activity on the environment and the delicate balance of our planet.
Cover photo
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