Eight Factory Farming Facts You Need to Know

A lack of transparency strips consumers of our right to understand the systems we support. Many of us remain disconnected from the horrific conditions animals endure before becoming food, and the far-reaching consequences of this cruelty. When advocates expose the hidden truths of animal agriculture, the industry often becomes punitive, silencing activists with measures like “ag-gag" laws that criminalize undercover investigations.

At its core, animal agriculture is a profit-driven industry that poses significant risks to animals, people, and the planet alike. To better understand the stakes, let’s explore eight facts about the animal agriculture industry.

1. 92 billion land animals are slaughtered for food each year globally

This staggering number exceeds the Earth’s human population more than tenfold and hints at the vast and troubling scale of modern animal agriculture. Even more shocking, this number does not account for the estimated 78-171 billion farmed fishes slaughtered each year for food.

2. In the US, 99% of animals used for food live in factory farms

According to estimates from The Sentience Institute, 74.9% of cows, 98.6% of pigs, 99.8% of turkeys, 98.3% of chickens raised for eggs, and more than 99.9% of chickens raised for meat in the US live in factory farms at present. These numbers reveal the widespread and systematic exploitation of most animals in the US.

3. Most animals used for food are killed when they are just babies

Many consumers are surprised to learn that most animals raised for food are slaughtered at a young age. Chickens raised for meat, who could live up to 8 years with proper care, are generally killed at 6-7 weeks old. Pigs, with a natural lifespan of 10-12 years, go to slaughter at 5-6 months old. Perhaps worst of all, in the egg industry, male chicks are typically killed the very same day they hatch. (Because they cannot lay eggs, male chicks have no value to the egg industry.)

4. Roughly 70% of breeding pigs spend their lives in gestation crates, unable to comfortably turn around or lie down

Estimates suggest that pork is the most widely consumed meat globally. This means that many female pigs are forced to spend their lives as breeders. The sows are repeatedly impregnated to produce litter after litter of piglets, only to have their babies taken away within weeks, beginning the cycle anew. Sadly, roughly 70% of breeding pigs endure this existence confined to gestation crates—metal cages so small that the pigs cannot turn around or lie down comfortably for most of their lives.

5. Animal agriculture uses one-third of freshwater worldwide.

Raising animals for food is a resource-intensive process that takes a massive toll on the environment. Take water, for example. The animal agriculture industry requires vast quantities of water for the animals themselves, as well as to grow their feed crops and process their flesh. From water to land to energy, animal agriculture is draining our precious natural resources.

6. Global meat production has increased fivefold since the 1960s.

Global meat production has skyrocketed in recent decades. Now, experts project production to double from present levels by 2050. This dramatic growth means that more and more animals will be affected by the welfare protections—or lack thereof—in our food and farming system.

7. No federal welfare laws protect “food animals” while they are living in factory farms

While we know that farmed animals are capable of thinking and feeling, they remain vulnerable to extreme cruelty. While some legal measures protect farmed animals in transport or during slaughter, there are no federal legal protections for farmed animals spending their short lives inside factory farms. This legal gap allows countless animals to suffer abuse with no accountability for their abusers.

8. 77% of Americans are concerned about the welfare of farmed animals

As consumers, many of us want better for animals and are increasingly concerned about their well-being. In fact, nearly 80% of Americans express concern about the welfare of farmed animals, reflecting a growing desire for more ethical and humane practices in food production. This awareness ushers hope for a transition to a more compassionate food system.

Hope for animals on the horizon

Despite the harsh realities of the animal agriculture industry, it’s important to note the meaningful progress that is already taking place, thanks to consumers and voters like you. As a result of public pressure on corporations and government, the number of hens living in cage-free environments increased from 3% in 2009 to 40% in 2024. Ten states have recently passed bans or restrictions on the use of gestation crates for pigs. In 2024, California and Washington banned octopus farming. For millions of animals trapped in our food system, these changes are making a world of difference.

With support from caring people like you, we can keep this momentum going and create a kinder future for animals everywhere. Take action today by signing up as a volunteer.