On September 9, we watched a video in class that discussed the cruelty chickens are experiencing in the Kentucky Fried Chicken slaughter houses. Upon watching the video, Professor Ahmed asked us to come up with a topic from the video along with three questions to go with the topic. An example topic that could be used was the idea of the procedures used on the chickens. Three questions included with the topic could be "Who created these torture procedures, are these tactics used with other chicken brand companies other than KFC, and how can these procedures can be adapted to be more humane?" Overall from this video, in order to develop a proper research paper we must find a topic and develop questions in order to have a clear image of what to look for.
Along with the example we used in class, we can use this type of tactic not only in research papers but in everyday life. For instance, we may use this tactic when buying clothes. When buying clothes we usually ask ourselves, "how will the outfit look on me, will it match with the other clothes in my closet, and how will people react to the clothes?" Although we may not realize it, we use this topic all the time in our lives.
Alexandra Marie Julian
Our group considered other possible questions that could be asked regarding the KFC video, such as "Is there another possible, more humane method that could be realistically used to feed/house the chickens?" It would be interesting to actually ask these questions of the corporation and see what they have to say.
ReplyDeleteAlexandra does make a good point about the application of this method in everyday life. As curious intellectuals, we are constantly faced with situations that require us to ask questions. Such questions allow us to explore possibilities further and make much more informed decisions.
Our group also discussed the question of "What would a humane method of raising/slaughtering chickens be?" Considering the fact that the animals are forcefully being led to the slaughter there really isn't a humane way of killing them. If anything the assembly line concept, as it was shown in the video, could in fact be considered "humane" because the chickens are actually stunned before they are slaughtered which is more than what is done in "humane" outdoor activities like hunting or fishing where animals are killed point blank. Our group unanimously agreed that such a question should be posted to PETA, the organization that sponsored the investigative video, because it would show whether or not their research has come up with a "humane" way of slaughter to contend with KFC's methods.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to our group's idea about questioning "proper methods" we also came up with the question of "Whom is PETA trying to reach in this video?" In our society, many people don't really care how their food is raised, let alone how it is prepared. The only real thing that concerns them is that it is clean,(which was supported by the video showing the birds being sanitized) and that it tastes good. While the video reached me as an individual to not purchase KFC food, it may not produce a convincing enough argument to keep others away from it. I feel that it is important as a person to raise these kind of questions to not only those whom you disagree with but also with those whom you agree with. By doing this, you show a concern in the cause being shown to you and the research done in order to answer important questions about it.
Our group also discussed ways that Kentucky Fried Chicken slaughterhouses should better their operations by treating the chickens more humane. We asked questions very similar to most of the groups, revolving around how the chickens are treated, and that there is a superior humane way to go about running a slaughter house.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alexandra that we use simple research tactics in our everyday lives without thinking, in which her example was buying clothes. We make decisions based on questions we ask, and information that we already know every day, in and out of the classroom.
These are all good concepts of asking whether or not they are humane about slaughtering their chickens at KFC. I haven't seen anyone say anything supporting KFC. For myself, my question is, "Do the chickens really know that a better life is out there?" That is one line form the video I did not quite understand. How do the chickens know that they are being treated badly?
ReplyDeleteWith all these questions (about KFC cruelty) and research approaches that have been considered I believe one has been overlooked. That is, considering the other side of the story. The "other end of the spectrum" so to speak.
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in finding out what KFC has to say about the issue and THEN begin researching further.
It just seems like we're putting the egg before the chicken if we don't see the other side of the story. I couldn't help it.
Our group discussed whether or not KFC could improve the living conditions for the chickens that were living in the KFC slaughterhouses. The conditions were horrendous, the chickens had their beaks cut off, which could have led to malnutrition for the chickens. Secondly they were feeding them growth enhanced steroids that made their bodies to heavy in order to breath. Lastly when they would slaughter the chickens it wasn’t just inhumane, but they would totally be killed and the chickens would have to go through the hot boiling water process alive in order dissolve the feather. Not only is this unhealthy for the chickens but for the customers of KFC across the globe who maybe unaware of the food they’re consuming.
ReplyDeleteThe response to KFC cruelty does a great job in not only talking in precise detail in what we talked about in class, but more importantly on how to get a topic. You cant just throw facts at your audience, you need to ask a question or relate it to everyday life in someway. For instance the near end of the Blog talks about relating to people on what clothes they buy and how they’ll look on them, which is an excellent way to get the readers or audience's attention.
My group asked similar questions to those who wondered if a more humane method of chicken handling was possible and if KFC would be willing to alter its methods to be less cruel. In reality, KFC is unlikely to implement changes unless revenue declines because the public no longer supports a corporation that allows this behavior.
ReplyDeleteA better research question might ask, "Does KFC's treatment of chickens constitute animal cruelty?" While it would be unlikely that similar treatment of pets would be legal, different legal standards might exist for animals destined to be food.
This video really did shock me because I did not know that they chopped their beaks off and other inhumane things. My group also talked about what other ways could KFC get the amount of chicken they needed, but with out hurting the chickens as much.
ReplyDeleteAlexandra does make a very good point that I did not even think of. Do other corporations treat their chickens the same? Another question that I wanted to ask was toward the workers who are stomping on the chickens. What is the purpose of that? Why do they feel the urge to stomp on chickens and treat them that way? What have the chickens done that is SO bad to make them want to do that?
I have been exposed to these types of videos before and I remember asking myself a lot of questions. Is the food really that important to us that we have to treat animals inhumanely? Or is just greed, on our part and the company’s part? However, these are questions that I asked myself after I processed what I had just seen my very first reaction was, why? Companies give the chicken steroids to build them up faster, so that they can sell more, but what happened to doing things naturally? Why can’t we let the animals grow up naturally and letting the circle of life take its course? Also, I don’t think people think about the consequences of the steroids. Those steroids don’t only affect the chickens they affect the people who are eating as well. These are just some questions that I would like to ask if I were to this as a research topic. As Alexandra stated, we use this strategy in everyday life. We ask questions all the time whether you think about it or not; as simple as Alexandra’s clothes example to more serious topics as animal cruelty.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey said:
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the video that displayed the cruel tactics which are being used in the Kentucky Fried Chicken slaughter houses, Group 4 was speechless. As a group we all agreed that the chickens shall be slaughtered in one quick, easy method, instead of torturing them to death using atrocious procedures. This solid theory formulated our topic. Our topic was similar to the other groups, revolving around the idea that the slaughterhouses should be less critical in their operations, and instead provide more humane treatment towards the chickens. One of our three questions included: Why can you not just slaughter the chickens fast, instead of putting them through torture? There was no need in cutting their beaks off, slamming their bodies off the wall, scolding them in hot water, and throwing them into the truck crates with force.
Using our topic and questions, we were able to solve the problem facing our research about the cruelty in the Kentucky Fried Chicken slaughtering procedures. Alexandra could not have said it any better when she stated that we use this research scheme in our everyday lives. Without it, we would not be able to make decisions or solve problems on our own. This researching method will move your paper even further along by taking the three questions you addressed, and turning them into a problem that your intended readers think is worth solving. Doing so will provide the significance of your search from your readers’ point of view. Thus, your paper will be a success in capturing the audience’s attention.
Jessica Young said:
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Bill on this one. I would have to understand “the other side” of the spectrum before jumping in with questions regarding the cruelty. Sometimes those videos are flukes. There have been many times in which the actions public figures do are distorted to make them seem much worse than what they really are. Yes, it is natural to immediately want to ask questions about the way the chickens are mistreated, but you would first want to find out if there is a truth behind the treatment. That is where your researching comes into play.
I would have to agree that you have to look at the other side of the story and look at KFC's point of view. Although it is bad how KFC makes their chicken, you can't just jump to one conclusion. A person has to be able to look at a story from all angles and thats where a person's research really begins. It is natural to want to find out what happens and ask questions but its important to look deeper into the research to see both sides.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey says,
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the video that displayed the cruel tactics which are being used in the Kentucky Fried Chicken slaughter houses, Group 4 was speechless. As a group we all agreed that the chickens shall be slaughtered in one quick, easy method, instead of torturing them to death using atrocious procedures. This solid theory formulated our topic. Our topic was similar to the other groups, revolving around the idea that the slaughterhouses should be less critical in their operations, and instead provide more humane treatment towards the chickens. One of our three questions included: Why can you not just slaughter the chickens fast, instead of putting them through torture? There was no need in cutting their beaks off, slamming their bodies off the wall, scolding them in hot water, and throwing them into the truck crates with force.
Using our topic and questions, we were able to solve the problem facing our research about the cruelty in the Kentucky Fried Chicken slaughtering procedures. Alexandra could not have said it any better when she stated that we use this research scheme in our everyday lives. Without it, we would not be able to make decisions or solve problems on our own. This researching method will move your paper even further along by taking the three questions you addressed, and turning them into a problem that your intended readers think is worth solving. Doing so will provide the significance of your search from your readers’ point of view. Thus, your paper will be a success in capturing the audience’s attention.
In the September 9th class, we watched a video on the cruelty on chickens and on the process of them becoming food for everyday people. The organization PETA is trying to inform and make people aware of the abuse that not only chickens, but all animals go through for our benefit. Questions arose about who PETA was trying to reach with these videos? Doesn’t everyone (mostly) eat chicken? The point that PETA is trying to make is that these chicken slaughter houses and the whole process to getting the chicken there is unnecessary abuse. Last year in my anthropology class I did an extra credit assignment on a similar video that had to do with slaughterhouses and animal abuse. It really showed me how big companies such as Tyson and fast food companies, such as KFC have gone completely out of control. In raising the chickens, they make them so fat that they can’t even walk or move, they cut off their beaks ( so they don’t peck each other) and it is extremely painful. I myself am not a full vegetarian ( I eat chicken and fish) but ever since watching the video last year and recently the KFCruelty video, my intake of chicken and fish has gone way down. I find it very disturbing.
ReplyDeleteKRISTI QUINN
Emily and Doug made good points about how their groups discussed if there was another human method for killing those chickens at KFC. I know that some people are mentioning that you have to look at the “other side” but I have to disagree. This is not the first time I heard this and when I first heard about it, I did my research and found multiple articles and stories about this topic. Asking questions is only a start. A person must dig deeper to find what they are looking for. Just by watching that video, I would say that killing those chickens need to be slaughtered in a quick, painless way instead of being tortured.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Alexandra as we continue to grow in this class I continue to learn things that will not only help me in my writing but that I use questions just like I may use in my research in my every day life.
ReplyDeleteAfter viewing this video it began to make me question our governments laws. People emphasize animal cruelty on pets but why do people not think as much about how the animals are killed for our food. I realize that animals need to die so we can eat but why should these animals die so harshly, it really makes me think if a human was going to dye does that give people the right to just kill them harshly because they will die eventually. Every being has a place in life and the place should never be left down.
Rachel said:
ReplyDeleteI agree that you would have to look at both sides of the story with the cruelty of the chickens used for KFC. You would have to look at the farmer’s side of how they choose to kill the chickens as well as if KFC even knows how the chickens are being killed or if they just get them and don’t even think about it. There are different ways that the chickens can be killed then to torture them. Chickens that are made for major food production are put in crammed little cages and mass produced and live a horrible life as well as have a horrible death.
This video was disgusting to me. I knew that it was necessary to slaughter chickens, but I didn't realize that the workers did things such as cutting off the chickens beaks, throwing them against walls, and stomping on the chickens. Like Megan Sowers said, I don't understand the purpose of stomping on the chickens. I also wondered if other corporations torture there chickens this way.
ReplyDelete