PETA warns of link between factory farm filth and bird flu

Press Trust of India Posted: May 16, 2008 at 0011 hrs
Kolkata, May 15 In the midst of avian flu outbreak in Darjeeling, the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA) has released a graphic undercover video footage of crowded, filthy chicken and egg factory farms, warning that this was the reason behind the spread of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in the region.

The report documents the mutilation of birds as well as the potential for the spread of disease from chickens to humans, a PETA release said on Thursday.

The findings were sent to the state government last year.

It was also warned about how unsanitary conditions on factory farms could lead to an outbreak of the deadly virus. The report reveals how unhygienic conditions are responsible for the repeated outbreak of bird flu in India.

In 2005, approximately 2 billion chickens were slaughtered in India. Chickens are crammed into dark, filthy sheds, where the ammonia from the accumulated waste actually burned their eyes, the release stated.

PETA claimed that chickens used for meat are pushed to reach their slaughter weights in just 40 to 42 days.

Typically, the bird’s legs, hearts and lungs fail to keep pace with their rapidly growing bodies, which leads to serious problems.

Their legs are so severely crippled that the birds are unable to reach food and water, the release added.