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Slaughter Age vs Natural Lifespan

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The notes on this page demonstrate that farmed animals are slaughtered after living a small fraction of their natural lifespans, in violation of their rights.

Even if farmed animals lived a pleasant life and were killed instantly without pain or foreknowledge (neither of which is true) they are still denied opportunities for fulfillment by their slaughter. That animals have rights, as well as interests they wish to be fulfilled, is a cornerstone of the philosophy of animal rights[1]Regan Tom. 2004. The Case for Animal Rights Updated with a new preface [2004 ed.] ed. Berkeley: University of California Press. as advocated by philosopher Tom Regan and others.

Points to Consider

Note: The human age shown in the following lists and tables are calculated based on an 80-year human lifespan. It reflects a chronological age, not maturation.

Farmed animals exploited for meat are slaughtered after living about 2% to 8% of their natural lifespans, depending on the species.

  • List of slaughter age values for animals who are exploited for their flesh:
    • Broiler Chickens
      • Slaughter Age: 5-7 Weeks
      • Natural Lifespan: 8 Years
      • % of Life Lived: < 1.2%
      • Human Age: 1 year
    • Meat Cows
      • Slaughter Age: 18 Months
      • Natural Lifespan: 15-20 Years
      • % of Life Lived: < 7.5%
      • Human Age: 6 Years
    • Pigs
      • Slaughter Age: 5-6 Months
      • Natural Lifespan: 10-12 Years
      • % of Life Lived: 3 %
      • Human Age: 3 Years
    • Source
      • Table: Slaughter Age Vs Natural Lifespan | Source: Farm Transparency Project.”[2]“Age of Animals Slaughtered.” Farm Transparency Project, October 12, 2017.

Animals whose female reproductive systems are exploited for eggs and dairy are slaughtered after living about one-fifth of their natural lifespans, when they are no longer profitable.

  • List of slaughter age values for animals who are exploited for their female reproductive systems:
    • Laying Hens
      • Slaughter Age: 18 Months
      • Natural Lifespan: 8 Years
      • % of Life Lived: < 19%
      • Human Age: 15 Years
    • Dairy Cows
      • Slaughter Age: 4-6 Years
      • Natural Lifespan: 15-20 Years
      • % of Life Lived: < 30%
      • Human Age: < 20 Years
    • Source
      • Table: Slaughter Age Vs Natural Lifespan | Source: Farm Transparency Project.”[3]“Age of Animals Slaughtered.” Farm Transparency Project, October 12, 2017.

Other Useful Information

Here is the same information in table form:

Slaughter AgeNatural Lifespan% of Life LivedHuman Age
Broiler Chickens5-7 Weeks8 Years< 1.2%1 year
Laying Hens18 Months8 Years< 19%15 Years
Meat Cattle18 Months15-20 Years< 7.5%6 Years
Dairy Cows4-6 Years15-20 Years< 30 %<20 Years
Pigs5-6 Months10-12 Years3 %3 Years
Table: Slaughter Age Vs Natural Lifespan | Source: Farm Transparency Project.”[4]“Age of Animals Slaughtered.” Farm Transparency Project, October 12, 2017.

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Infographic showing slaughter age vs natural livespan.

Footnotes

References

References
↑1 Regan Tom. 2004. The Case for Animal Rights Updated with a new preface [2004 ed.] ed. Berkeley: University of California Press.
↑2, ↑3, ↑4 “Age of Animals Slaughtered.” Farm Transparency Project, October 12, 2017.