Poultry is by far the most consumed meat in America; it is versatile, relatively inexpensive compared to other meats, and best of all, it can be found in every grocery store in the United States. All of these factors are made possible thanks to factory farming. Factory farming is the reason why consumers can buy poultry cheaply at their local supermarket and also the reason why chickens and other animals are viewed as profit rather than living, breathing beings. So, what exactly is factory farming? According to Ben Macintyre, a writer and columnist for The Times, a British newspaper and former chicken farm worker, he summed up the goal of any factory farm: "...to produce the maximum amount of edible meat, as quickly and as cheaply as possible." lower cost. as possible, regardless of quality, cruelty or hygiene” (Macintyre, 2009). Factory farmers don't care about consumer safety or chicken safety, all factory farmers have in mind how quickly they can turn a chick into a slaughter size chicken and how to make their chicken fat and plump. Factory farming not only poses a risk to the health of animals, but also to the environment and humans; this is why free-range and sustainable agriculture must be put into practice. Industrial farmers see chicken and other animals such as: cow, pigs and goats as producing eggs and dairy products and not as intellectual individuals. From the birth of a chick until its death on the production line, chickens endure pain and suffering throughout their short lives. The chicks are debeaked, then moved to battery cages that are wired high in warehouses filled with artificial light. The cages are so confined that... middle of paper... Industrial agriculture harms farmers, the environment and public health. "Is Industrial Agriculture Harming America? Ed. Stuart A. Kallen. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. In Question. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. March 30, 2011. "Environment" Nonprofit organization GRACE, 2003. Web Six. Rep. No. GALE | EJ3010701216. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context Web, April 18, 2011. is there an ethical way to treat animals? Factory farming. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Current Controversies. Internet March 30.. 2011.