Farmed Animal Slaughter Statistics

“Free-Range” Does Not Reduce the Death Toll

Animals Slaughtered for Food in the U.S. in 2000 and 2003 (Minimum) (individuals rounded to nearest thousand)

Animals

Chickens
Turkeys
Pigs
Cattle
Ducks
Lambs/Yearlings
Calves
Goats
Sheep
Horses
Bison

2000

8,424,208,000
268,026.000
98,106,000
36,416,000
24,494,000
3,141,000
1,172,000
542,000
166,900
47,000
47,000

2003

8,684,434,000
267,781,000
101,043,000
35,648,000
24,301,000
2,691,800
1,039,000
647,000
145,000
50,000
35,000

Data from federally inspected plants only.

Data do not include fish and other animals routinely farmed for food.

Data for chickens, turkeys, and ducks from Poultry Slaughter (February 2001) and Poultry Slaughter 2003 Summary (March 2004). Data do not include hatchery slaughter data.

Data for pigs, cattle, calves, goats, horses, bison, and sheep/lambs from Livestock Slaughter 2000 Summary (March 2001) and Livestock Slaughter 2003 Summary (March 2004).

Source: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service and National Agricultural Statistics Website.

These statistics are presented in “On the Killing Floor” by Paul Shapiro of Compassion Over Killing (COK.net) in the Summer 2004 issue of the AV Magazine, published by The American Anti-Vivisection Society. The Summer issue features farmed animal issues from biotechnology to aquaculture. It includes a UPC cover photo of rescued former battery-caged perching in the trees and an essay by UPC President Karen Davis, PhD, “The Life of One Battery Hen.” (American Anti-Vivisection Society, 215-887-0816 , www.aavs.org)

For estimated 2004 U.S. slaughter figures and discussion, visit www.WFAD.org

For 2003 global slaughter figures and discussion, visit