Yields vary dramatically: some farms produce as much as 150 pounds per acre each year while others produce little. Typical yields in Europe range between 25 and 35 pounds per acre each year, but as methods improve many more farms are achieving yields in excess of 100 pounds per acre.
With bodies taxed beyond belief, chickens who survive their time in production are often slaughtered at just 42 days old. They are still âpeepingâ the sound of baby chicks when they are killed â even though their bodies have ballooned to the size of giant adult chickens in this short time due to industry practices.
Preparing the Chicken for Slaughter. Birds that are to be slaughtered should be taken off feed long enough before killing (about 12 hrs.) to allow the crop and intestinal tract time to empty. A full digestive system increases the chance of contamination of the carcass during removal of the viscera.