New footage from inside the Swedish chicken industry: "Enough is enough"

For Project 1882, it is impossible to ignore what is revealed in the footage: bloody and injured chickens, chickens being pecked by other individuals, and chickens struggling to move. Several of the images also show dead animals among the living.

The material comes from multiple chicken factory farms in Sweden. Project 1882 has filed police reports against all the factory farms featured in the material.

“These are horrific images that clearly demonstrate why the breeding and farming of Frankenchickens must be banned in Sweden. Many people are rightly shocked, angry, and saddened by what is being shown. What makes this especially serious is that these are not isolated incidents. The suffering is built into the system, and it is the chickens who pay the highest price”, says Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.

When the same kind of suffering is exposed across multiple facilities year after year, the industry can no longer hide behind claims of isolated incidents. The pattern is clear, and the problem is systemic.

Consequences of extreme breeding

The footage exposes what Project 1882 has been warning about for years: the consequences of the extreme breeding practices that underpin the modern Swedish chicken industry. Frankenchickens are bred to grow at an extraordinarily rapid rate, which is associated with an increased risk of leg disorders, mobility problems, and premature death.

No animal should have to live a life of pain or struggle simply to walk. Yet millions of chickens continue to be raised in a production system that pushes their bodies to the absolute limit. In Sweden alone, more than 110 million Frankenchickens are slaughtered every year.

“Enough is enough. This should never be considered normal. Sweden must follow the example of Norway and other countries by ending the use of Frankenchickens. No animal should be forced to live a life of pain and misery as these chickens are", says Benny Andersson.

Developments in other countries show that change is possible. Norway has led the way by moving away from Frankenchickens, while Denmark and Germany have taken similar steps.

Project 1882: Political action is needed now

The situation facing Frankenchickens is Sweden's largest animal welfare issue, according to Project 1882.

“This is not something that can be left to consumers to solve. If companies fail to take responsibility, politicians must show leadership and put an end to this widespread suffering. Ban Frankenchickens”, says Benny Andersson.

Project 1882 calls for:

• A ban on and phase-out of Frankenchickens in Sweden, following the examples of Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and France

• Both industry stakeholders and policymakers to take responsibility for the transition

• Stronger animal welfare protections through political action, including the appointment of a Minister for Animal Welfare in Sweden