Growers receive just-hatched chicks from the hatcheries. One chicken house can hold as many as 25,000 birds. Growers are responsible for the chicks' care and feeding until they reach market size, about five pounds. Poultry scientists have shaved weeks off the time it takes before a bird is ready for slaughter. In 1940, a chick needed 13 weeks and 16 pounds of feed. Today, chicks need seven weeks and 10 pounds of feed. (2 of 14)

Full Story