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Introduction

This report documents current practices in the meat poultry industry in Canada, providing photographic
and video evidence captured in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and
Quebec during some 44 investigations between the years 2007-2009. It shows the rampant, systemic
welfare problems in the meat poultry industry, particularly in regard to on-farm practices, transportation
and slaughter.

Copies of all raw footage are available upon request. All photos are untouched except where it has
been necessary to brighten or crop the image.

Genetic Problems in Meat Poultry

Poultry raised for meat have been genetically selected for a high rate of growth; as a result many
develop physical disabilities, skeletal weaknesses and metabolic diseases resulting in a high rate of
mortality (1% per week for broiler chickens) and morbidity (SCAHAW cited in Turner, et al., pp. 9, 28).

Leg disorders are a major cause of suffering in broiler chickens. Because the birds are slaughtered so
young, there has been little motivation for the poultry industry to improve the genetics and welfare of
these birds. In fact, a 2003 study showed that "The rate of broiler growth and final market weight
continues to increase" (Bilgili, 2003, p.49 cited in Davis, K. Humane Treatment of Domestic Livestock
2003).

It is clear the birds are experiencing pain. Many studies have shown that lame birds - faced with a
choice of feed treated with an analgesic or one without choose the treated feed, and the amount of
treated feed they ate increased with the severity of the lameness. One study published in the
Veterinary Record concluded: "lame broiler chickens are in pain and that this pain causes them distress
from which they seek relief" (Danbury, et al., 2000: 310 cited in Davis, K. Humane Treatment of
Domestic Livestock 2003).

Affected birds show a reduced activity level likely due to bone pain. Joints are also involved, as a wide
variety of receptors exist in the joint capsule of poultry, including pain receptors (nociceptors).

The three most common bone problems experienced by poultry today are: angular bone deformities;
tibial dyschondraoplasia, and spondylothesis, where the vertebra dislocate and/or cartilage develops in
the lower spine, pinching the spinal cord and lower back nerves (Schleifer, 1990, pp. 10-14 cited in
Davis, K. Humane Treatment of Domestic Livestock 2003).

In addition to pain in their backs and legs, hips are also affected as selective breeding has caused
increased breast-muscle meat to develop, which shifts the bird's center of gravity forward, placing
added stresses on their hips and legs.

"Selective breeding has resulted in painful lameness and heart disease. These birds
grow so fast that they are usually slaughtered at 6 weeks old and in fact would be
unlikely to survive to adulthood because of problems with their legs, heart and lungs"
(Smith, Summary, 2003 cited in Davis, K. Humane Treatment of Domestic Livestock
2003).

[Of note in Manitoba, broiler chickens are slaughter-bound at only 32-36

days of age (http://www.chicken.mb.ca/facts.php)].