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Farm Sanctuary Thanks Canandaigua Academy for Canceling the “Chicken Slaughter” Project

Organization Receives Word from School Officials that No Animals will be Used and Slaughtered in Future Ecology Projects

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – February 4, 2009 – Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, today thanked Canandaigua Academy officials for taking a compassionate stand and canceling what has become known as the “chicken slaughter” project. In addition, no animals will be used and slaughtered in future ecology class projects.  

During the past year, Farm Sanctuary encouraged Canandaigua Academy school officials to consider humane alternatives to raising and killing chickens in the classroom, including free field trips to Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter located less than an hour away. In early December, Farm Sanctuary was alerted that the “chicken slaughter” project ceased on order from the New York State Department of Education and was invited to give the birds a permanent home. At the time, however, school officials expressed that they may try to reinstitute the program in the future with the permits required by the State.

After receiving a letter from Farm Sanctuary about the condition of the birds who were rescued from the  “chicken slaughter” project, the assistant superintendent of the Canandaigua School District, Nancy Eckert confirmed that the Canandaigua Academy ecology class will no longer use chickens, or any other animals, as part of its ecology curriculum.

“We are pleased that school officials responded to our letter and confirmed that this chicken slaughter project has ended and will not be reinstituted at a future date,” said Susie Coston, Farm Sanctuary’s national shelter director. ”We appreciate how responsive Superintendent Donald Raw and Assistant Superintendent Nancy Eckert have been to our concerns about this project and we are confident that the school has exercised sound judgment in evaluating this situation and coming to a logical and compassionate conclusion.”

On today’s farms, birds like the ones used in the Canandaigua Academy “chicken slaughter” project are normally slaughtered at 42 days of age, after spending every day of their lives crowded inside large, windowless sheds. At Farm Sanctuary, the chickens will get the special care they need to live happily and comfortably for the rest of their natural lives and will have access to plenty of fresh air, sunlight and nourishing food. The chickens will continue to play a role in the education of youth by teaching visitors about the widespread implications of industrial animal agriculture – an industry that has been under fire from animal protection groups, public health institutions, consumer groups and environmental organizations for more than 20 years, because of concerns about animal welfare, infectious diseases, false advertising and environmental degradation.

Letter submitted on January 30, 2009 to Canandaigua Academy School Officials

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.