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.
Every year in Australia alone, over half a billion chickens are raised and slaughtered for meat. Only around 15% of chickens are raised 'free range' in Australia (and about half of that is also 'organic'). *Australian Chicken Meat Federation estimate for 2010/11.he modern phenomenon of cheap chicken comes at enormous costs to the welfare of the animals involved. Over 50 years ago it took 98 days for a chicken to grow to 1.6kg. By 1986, due to selective breeding, it only took 37 days. Baby birds, who still chirp and have soft feathers, have the bodies of adult birds.