Slaughter & Processing Wages
What is the average wage for “frontline” workers in animal slaughter and processing? As of May 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated the wages for workers (using the Standard Occupational Classification, which groups workers by the duties they perform) in the Animal Slaughtering and Processing industries as follows:[1] The weighted average mean […]
Age & Weight at Slaughter – Poultry
At what age are broiler chickens slaughtered? On average, broiler chickens (chickens raised for meat) reach slaughter weight in 47 days.[1,2] The National Chicken Council estimates that this figure has remained at 47-48 days since 1990.[3] A 2011 USDA survey reported that, on average, the smallest broilers reach slaughter weight at about 38 days and […]
Poultry Death Before Slaughter
How many broiler chickens die or are killed before slaughter? In 2023, about 651 million hatched broiler chickens died or were killed (and were not slaughtered for human meat consumption). In 2024, about 735 million hatched broiler chickens died or were killed before slaughter.[1-3] Both the total number and the rate have been rising over […]
Poultry Factory Farm Sizes
5 KEY POINTS – Poultry Factory Farm Sizes 1. A typical broiler factory farm sells ~775,000 birds per year, maintaining an inventory of ~135,000 birds. 2. A typical broiler house measures 43’x 500’. The newer large houses can be 39,000 sq. feet – about 70% the size of a football field. 3. Broiler houses hold […]
Slaughter & Processing Worker Totals
How many workers are in the livestock/poultry slaughter and processing industry? In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports there were a total of 545,882 people employed in the entire “animal slaughtering and processing” industry in the U.S. This is ~3% increase from 2022 when there were 530,470 workers.[1] This figure from the BLS […]
Animals Slaughtered for Food
How many land animals are slaughtered for food in the U.S.? In 2023 and 2024, nearly 10 billion land animals were slaughtered for human food consumption.[1-4] In 2024, ~52 million more animals were slaughtered than in 2023, and ~18 million more than in 2022. Poultry: USDA NASS (2025) Poultry Slaughter 2024 Summary, ISSN: 2159-7480, […]
Housing & Space Allotments – Cattle & Dairy
What are the conditions for cattle in feedlots? Cattle raised for beef are typically sent to feedlots in the final stage of beef production. Most cattle are kept in outdoor pens, with some kept indoors in confinement structures.[1] Outdoor feedlots are on bare soil and are subdivided into fenced pens with feed troughs. Some lots […]
Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
What is the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act? The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) was enacted to ensure that “the slaughtering of livestock and the handling of livestock in connection with slaughter shall be carried out only by humane methods.”[1] The Act applies only to federally inspected slaughter plants.[2] Humane methods as defined by […]
Housing & Space Allotments – Pigs
What are the most common housing conditions for pigs raised for meat? Housing – Factory farmed pigs raised for meat spend most of their 6-month lives in large, enclosed finishing houses.[1] The houses are divided into rows of metal-fenced pens. A typical size shed is about 20,000 sq. ft. and holds 2,000 to 2,500 pigs. […]
Animal Treatment Laws & Regs Overview
How are federal laws on animal treatment implemented? Laws are written by Congress to assert policy and generally define conduct for those aspects of daily life that operate under the authority of the government. To clarify and implement the laws, regulations are then written by executive agencies, such as the USDA. The USDA then may […]