Animal Machines: The New Factory Farming Industry

A reprint of a book originally published in 1964, with new contributions setting a modern context. The original book is comprised of 10 chapters covering and describing the methods of intensive farming of poultry and livestock during the 1960s. It was aimed at creating awareness regarding the production of animals under artificial and damaging conditions that prevail in factory-like installations. Focus is given on broiler chickens, poultry packing stations, battery birds, veal calves, basis of quality, quantity versus quality and animal cruelty and legislation. Available In Print First published in 1964, Ruth Harrison's book Animal Machines had a profound and lasting impact on world agriculture, public opinion and the quality of life of millions of farmed animals. Concerned with welfare standards at a time when animal production was increasing in scale and mechanisation, Ruth Harrison set about investigating the situation in a fair and even-handed way. Reporting her findings in Animal Machines, Harrison alerted the public to the undeniable suffering of calves living in veal crates and birds in battery cages. Written at the beginning of the intensive farming movement, which promised progress but in reality worsened conditions for domesticated animals, Animal Machines provides a fascinating insight into the system we are living with today and must continue with as the global population increases. Harrison's work brought about legal reforms, a greater understanding of farm conditions for animals and increased public awareness. Animal Machines is reprinted here in its entirety, accompanied by new chapters by world-renowned experts in animal welfare discussing the legacy and impact of Animal Machines 50 years on. Ruth Harrison's Animal Machines now a unique historical classic, had a profound impact on public opinion and the quality of life of farmed animals when it was published in 1964. * Reprinted in its entirety, gives an accurate, and sometimes shocking, account of intensive farming in the 1960's, still current in large parts of the world today. * Harrison's work greatly increased public awareness of animal welfare and led to legal reforms, shaping our closer understanding of farm conditions today. * Provides a fascinating insight into the system we continue to live with as the global population increases. * Includes foreword by Rachel Carson and new chapters by international experts in animal welfare including Marion Stamp Dawkins, discussing the book's significant legacy and impact today Contents 6 1 Why We Still Need to Read Animal Machines 8 2 Ruth Harrison – Tribute To An Inspirational Friend 12 3 Animal Machines – Prophecy and Philosophy 17 4 Ruth Harrison – A Tribute 24 5 Ruth Harrison’s Later Writings and Animal Welfare Work 28 Foreword to 1964 Edition 38 Acknowledgements 40 I. Introduction 42 II. Broiler Chickens 48 III. Poultry Packing Stations 63 IV. Battery Birds 72 V. Veal Calves 92 VI. Other Intensive Units 113 The New Factory Farming – A Pictorial Summary 121 VII. The Basis of Quality 146 VIII. Quantity Versus Quality 155 IX. Cruelty and Legislation 180 X. Conclusion 201 Bibliography 212 Index 214 A 214 B 214 C 214 D 215 E 215 F 215 G 215 H 215 I 216 J 216 K 216 L 216 M 216 N 216 O 216 P 216 Q 217 R 217 S 217 T 217 U 217 V 217 W 217 Y 217 Chapter: 1 (Page no: 35) Introduction. Author(s): Harrison, R. Chapter: 2 (Page no: 41) Broiler chickens. Author(s): Harrison, R. Chapter: 3 (Page no: 56) Poultry packing stations. Author(s): Harrison, R. Chapter: 4 (Page no: 65) Battery birds. Author(s): Harrison, R. Chapter: 5 (Page no: 85) Veal calves. Author(s): Harrison, R. Chapter: 6 (Page no: 106) Other intensive units. Author(s): Harrison, R. Chapter: 7 (Page no: 139) The basis of quality. Author(s): Harrison, R. Chapter: 8 (Page no: 148) Quantity versus quality. Author(s): Harrison, R. Chapter: 9 (Page no: 173) Cruelty and legislation. Author(s): Harrison, R. Chapter: 10 (Page no: 194) Conclusion. Author(s): Harrison, R. First published in 1964, Ruth Harrison's book had a profound and lasting impact on world agriculture, public opinion and the quality of life of farmed animals. Animal Machines is reprinted here in its entirety, accompanied by new chapters by world-renowned experts in animal welfare discussing the legacy and impact of the book 50 years on.