“BONING”VICTORY: Tyson and Perdue End Barbaric Practice

“BONING” VICTORY: Animal Outlook Video Prompts End of Cruel Practice at Tyson – and Now, Perdue

Perdue Farms Commits to Stop Stabbing Nose “Bones” in Male Birds

Last month, Animal Outlook released a heartbreaking video filmed by our investigator who worked inside chicken breeding factory farms that contract with Tyson Foods. Among many other acts of abuse, our footage exposed a cruel practice that had never before been caught on hidden camera: workers grabbing young male breeder birds by their heads and stabbing a dull plastic “bone” though their sensitive nostrils.

Commonly referred to as “boning,” this painful practice is done to limit the male birds’ food intake by preventing them from fitting their heads inside certain food containers.

After seeing our hidden camera footage, Tyson announced an immediate end to the use of “bones” in male breeder birds. (See our petition urging Tyson to take the next step.)

When we contacted Perdue, they said they still uses “bones” in some of their male breeder bird flocks, and while the company is taking other steps in an effort to improve the welfare of its birds, it had not yet committed to ending this unnecessary and barbaric practice.

---

Now, following our campaign efforts, Perdue has said it too will end the brutal use of “bones” by January 1, 2017. (Read the company’s full statement.)

---

These policy changes by Tyson and Perdue —  two of the nation’s largest poultry producers — are important steps in the right direction, though more still needs to be done, such as addressing the underlying welfare issue: birds raised for their meat are genetically manipulated to rapidly grow so obese, they often can’t even walk.

As these changes also demonstrate: Undercover investigations remain one of the most vital tools we have to shine a bright light on the horrors kept hidden behind the closed doors of animal agribusiness.

The barbaric practice of stabbing bones through the nostrils of male breeder birds in the chicken industry has never before been exposed, and thanks to our brave investigator, we’ve now ended it at two companies — and counting. But even with these important changes, the best way each of us can protect animals is by simply leaving them off our plates.

Help us continue pulling back the curtains of animal agribusiness: Donate now to double your impact.

The Associated Press: Perdue ends controversial practice, activists claim victory