Still, it will take time for slower-growth chickens killed by controlled-atmosphere stunning and sunlight-bathed coops to be the industry norm. Now, America's third-largest chicken producer is introducing changes that animal rights groups are championing as a major step forward in animal welfare. For instance, it has pledged only to implement controlled-atmosphere stunning at two facilities so far, "followed by gradual implementation at all our harvest facilities," according to a press release. “They get really stressed out by that.”The policy is not yet flawless, Garces, of Compassion in World Farming, said. Kean, the University of Wisconsin specialist, said that controlled-atmosphere stunning is easier on workers, but it is only negligibly nicer to chickens.

Source: Washington Post June 28, 2016 16:26 UTC