US chicken companies pioneered restricting sleep to keep birds eating around the clock.

A new study (Li et al., 2026) recommends giving chickens just 2 hours of darkness nightly to maximize the time they spend eating. The study and photo are Chinese.

We know chickens have far better hapiness with 7–8 hours of darkness to sleep.

But they eat more and grow faster when they are sleep deprived.

    • KexPilot@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      Neither, I just don’t purchase from these companies. I couldn’t even if I wanted to, the described practice is illegal where I live.

      • Madzielle@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        1 day ago

        If I want an “ethical” chicken, I can buy one. A five pound bird cost $40. Are you rich? lol Or you have your own farm.

        • KexPilot@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          I’m far from rich. I just live in a country where all chicken purchased from a store get enough sleep by law. And chicken from friends and family run around the yard and sleep/wake with the sun.

          • x00z@lemmy.world
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            4 hours ago

            Ah, so you give them a good night of sleep right before you murder them so you can spoil your tastebuds.

              • x00z@lemmy.world
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                1 hour ago

                It’s moralwashing; justifying eating animals because you give them a good night’s sleep.

                • KexPilot@lemmy.world
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                  58 minutes ago

                  I’m not moral washing, I am discussing the topic of the thread/picture. Or maybe you answered the wrong comment?