Animal stress in factory farming

Overcrowding of housed farm animals
Inadequate lighting in factory farming units

Nature

Due to the closely confined conditions of factory farming units, some animals die of stress from overcrowding. Productivity under stress tends to be less. Cannibalism increases in overcrowded conditions, particularly with hens.

Incidence

According to behaviour studies, the optimum space allowance per hen is 750 sq cm. This is often not reached: average allowance in practice is 450 - 550 sq cm. Hens are often crowded together 4 or 5 to a cage, though 3 hens kept in a 4-hen cage produced 35 extra eggs each per laying season. A pronounced drop in efficiency has been noted among pigs kept under extreme conditions of intensive farming. Debeaking and dim lighting are used to check cannibalism among chickens in overcrowded pens, but not always with success.

Counter-claim

Concerns about animal stress in factory farming are vastly overstated. These operations are designed for efficiency and productivity, not cruelty. Animals are provided with food, shelter, and medical care—far more than they would receive in the wild. Focusing on animal stress distracts from more pressing human issues like poverty and hunger. The emotional arguments around factory farming are exaggerated and do not warrant the attention or resources they currently receive.