Most animals are slaughtered as babies, at a very small portion of their natural life span, regardless of whether they are raised conventionally or in operations that are labelled “humane”, “sustainable”, “natural”, “free range”, “cage free”, “heritage bred”, “grass fed”, “local” or “organic”.

Typical Slaughter Age Natural Life Span Chickens (male in egg industry) 1 day Up to 8 years “Veal” calves 1-24 weeks 15-20 years Chickens (broilers / meat breeds) 5-7 weeks Up to 8 years* Ducks 7-8 weeks 6-8 years Rabbits 10-12 weeks 8-12 years Goats 12-20 weeks 12-14 years Geese 15-20 weeks 8-15 years Turkeys 4-5 months Up to 15 years* Pigs 5-6 months 10-12 years Lambs 6-8 months 12-14 years “Beef” cattle 18 months 15-20 years Chickens (egg laying hens) 18 months Up to 8 years Pigs (breeding sows) 3-5 years 10-12 years Dairy cows 4 years 15-20 years

* Most chickens and turkeys are bred to grow so fast that their bodies cannot endure very long. When not bred for consumption, chickens and turkeys can grow at a rate their bodies can sustain for many years.