Last Updated on May 23, 2023 by Shari Mason
Chick-fil-A is one of America’s most popular fast-food chains, famous for its delicious chicken sandwiches and waffle fries.
But have you ever wondered how many chickens does Chick-fil-A kill a day to satisfy its customers?
Let’s answer this question and explore some ethical and environmental issues around how these chickens are killed.
How Many Chickens Does Chick-Fil-A Kill a Day?
Chick-Fil-A kills around 2 million chickens daily to meet this huge demand for meat and eggs. According to reports, the fast-food giant sells over a billion chicken sandwiches yearly.
That is more than any other popular fast-food chains in the US like Burger King, Taco Bell, and KFC kill, and enough chickens to fill more than 4,500 school buses daily.
Read: How Long Does KFC Chicken Last In The Fridge?
How Is Chick-fil-a Chicken Slaughtered?
Chick-fil-A claims to be humane when slaughtering its chickens, using controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS). This process involves gradually reducing the oxygen levels until the birds are unconscious before slaughter.
However, PETA has criticized Chick-fil-A in the past. They say tens of thousands of chickens suffer injuries as chickens killed are hung upside down.
Many birds have their throats slit and are then submerged in scalding hot water to remove their feathers.
Unfortunately, many chickens are killed while they remain fully conscious throughout the entire process.
The chickens in the supply chain for meat or egg production are crammed into warehouses and not allowed to move freely or exhibit natural behaviors.
How Many Chickens Does Chick-Fil-A Slaughter In A Year?
Chick-fil-A is one of the largest fast-food chains in the United States, with an estimated 2 million chickens killed or slaughtered daily for meat and eggs.
Reports suggest they kill approximately 840 million chickens annually, roughly 1.1% of the nation’s daily consumption. It makes Chick-fil-A have one of the highest consumption rates in the fast food industry.
Which Branch of Chick-Fil-A in the US Uses Chickens A Lot?
According to Business Insider, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the branch that uses the most chickens per year. This branch serves about 3,000 customers per day and goes through 5,500 pounds of chicken per week.
“We should be about more than just selling chicken.”
– S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s founder
That’s equivalent to about 11,000 chickens per year. This high demand is because it is one of the world’s busiest airports, and many travelers choose Chick-Fil-A as their meal option before or after their flights.
Also, other Chick-fil-A’s busiest locations are in the southeastern United States. Locations in states such as Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee tend to use a lot of chickens as they have some of the highest customer demand.
How Old Are the Chick-fil-A Chickens When Killed?
Most Chick-fil-A’s chickens are killed at typically 42 days old when sent to slaughter. Despite their enormous size, they are baby chicks, peeping like chicks instead of clucking like chickens.
FAQs
Are Chick-fil-A chickens ethical?
Yes, Chick-fil-A’s chickens are ethical. According to Chick-fil-A, they have a set of animal welfare standards that they require their chicken suppliers to follow. They also claim their chickens are handled with care and raised in a human environment [1].
Suppliers source chickens raised with No Antibiotics Ever. The company is constantly working with the poultry industry to improve the welfare of the animals through its suppliers.
Does Chick-fil-A use frozen chicken?
Yes, Chick-fil-A uses frozen chicken. The chicken meat is frozen at each restaurant but is thawed for 24 hours before being hand-breaded and cooked [2].
Does Chick-fil-A raise its chickens?
No, Chick-fil-A does not raise its chickens. Their supply chain comprises over 2,000 factory farms across the United States that follow strict animal welfare standards. It also ensures that their chicken is free of antibiotics and hormones.
Is chick-fil-a chicken processed in China?
No, Chick-fil-A chicken is not processed in China. They are sourced from many farms across the United States and not other countries.
Key Takeaways
Chick-fil-A kills about two million chickens per day and around 800 million in a year. It is one of the largest chicken consumers in the US, serving more than 300 million sandwiches and 122 million nuggets each year.
The restaurant sources its chicken from more than 2,300 farms across the country, and each of these farms raises about 25,000 birds per flock.
The fast-food chain has implemented measures to ensure that its suppliers treat the animals humanely. It drives change by supporting farms prioritizing animal welfare and sustainability.
References:
- https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mo-chickfila-appreciation-protest-20120801-story.html
- https://www.businessinsider.com/how-chick-fil-a-chicken-sandwich-is-made-2019-
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