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McDonalds Calls for Improvements in Treatment of Chickens

McDonald’s Corporation US announced in August the introduction of standards for their egg producers. The company sent letters to the farmers who provide them with more than 1.5 billion eggs a year, ordering them to comply with strict new guidelines for raising hens or risk losing the company’s business.

The new guidelines include the following stipulations:

By the end of 2001, producers must provide a minimum of 72 square inches of space per bird. This equates to about the size of this page, which is similar to the current Canadian industry standard, but larger than the current US standard of 40 square inches. By contrast, laying hens in Switzerland must each have space equivalent to a 16” TV.
By the end of spring 2001, producers must discontinue forced moulting, the practice of withholding food or water to facilitate moulting to increase egg production.
Effective immediately, producers must follow specific guidelines for beak trimming

CFHS joined with the Animal Alliance of Canada, supported by 30 other organizations including 20 member humane societies, in sending an open letter to McDonald’s Canada urging them to implement parallel initiatives in Canada. Although the changes being implemented by McDonald’s represent incremental improvements for chickens, they are a step in the right direction and raise awareness of the plight of animals farmed for food.

McDonalds Calls for Improvements in Treatment of Chickens

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