Mexico has recently witnessed a shocking exposé of systematic torture within numerous chicken slaughterhouses, following an investigation conducted by Animal Equality as an organization renowned for exposing abuses in the global agricultural industry.
The investigation focused on the state of Jalisco and revealed a series of egregious violations against chickens during both transportation and slaughter. Birds were handled with extreme violence, often being grabbed by their legs in a rough and careless manner, causing significant injuries before even reaching the slaughterhouses. These are not isolated incidents, but rather a recurring reality in the global poultry industry.
Inside the slaughterhouses, the investigation showed that many chickens were killed while still fully conscious due to failed stunning procedures. Footage obtained by the organization revealed birds screaming and flapping their wings in distress while being hung upside down on conveyor lines. They were then dipped into electrified water intended to render them unconscious — a process that frequently fails, resulting in the birds being slaughtered while fully aware and in pain.
The report also uncovered the use of "cone-cutting" systems, where chickens are inserted into cone-shaped devices before being slaughtered. However, investigators observed frequent delays or negligence in this process, causing extreme suffering without intervention or oversight, despite the existence of public health and animal welfare regulations.
These abuses were documented in a large-scale investigation across 21 slaughterhouses in seven Mexican states, including Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Colima. Data from 2021 showed that over 2.5 billion animals were slaughtered in Mexico, with 98% of them being chickens — making them the most consumed, abused, and killed land animals in the country.
Animal Equality has called for strict legal action against these violations, emphasizing that true change lies in reevaluating meat consumption habits and promoting plant-based alternatives that respect animal life and dignity.
According to Dulce Ramírez, Vice President of Animal Equality Latin America, these are not just isolated breaches, but part of a deeply rooted system of cruelty. She urged consumers to take moral responsibility and push for change, beginning with their daily dietary choices.
