Something scary is happening in the turkey world. Our scientists and farmers have created a Frankenstein-like beast called the broad breasted white. This creature is created in a lab, through artificial insemination, and then grows fat so fast that it often cannot walk. It usually needs antibiotics to survive to be butchered.
Needless to say, it cannot fly. It can also barely walk, but it does create the biggest turkey breast you could ever imagine.
If that wasn’t enough these creatures are shoved into tight pens with thousands of other birds. All of them too fat to walk around, struggling to survive, and sometimes even injected with butter and salt.
“These birds are grown in large grow-out barns that are fully automated and may house as many as 10,000 birds.” (Wikipedia)
Why is this happening?
Profit, pure and simple. Americans want $5 turkeys and don’t care how they get it. When there is a will there is a way, and this way has been found.
The only thing I can think to say…is it worth it?
Photo credit: INSADCO Photography/Alamy