Intensively-fed

Intensively-fed refers to the practice of raising livestock, particularly poultry or livestock such as cattle and pigs, in confined, high-density environments, often with a focus on maximizing growth and meat production through carefully controlled diets. This method typically involves providing animals with a consistent supply of formulated feed, often containing grains, supplements, and sometimes antibiotics, vitamins, and hormones, to expedite their growth and reduce the time it takes to reach market weight. The goal is to optimize efficiency and output. Intensive feeding often occurs in factory farms or concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The welfare of the animals and environmental impact of the practices are sometimes considered a source of controversy.

Intensively-fed meaning with examples

• The vast majority of chickens in this country are intensively-fed, grown in vast barns where their movement is restricted and their diet carefully managed to promote rapid growth. This practice allows for increased production efficiency and lower consumer costs, but ethical concerns about animal welfare are growing. Regulatory oversight of these operations is often needed to ensure certain basic standards of care.
• Compared to free-range systems, the calves at the feedlot were exclusively intensively-fed. Their diet was designed to gain weight quickly. While providing for a greater availability of meat products to markets, it raises serious ethical questions and has significant effects on the ecosystem in which they live. As resources are used, a balance must be struck between animal welfare and production demands.
• The economics of the poultry industry have led to the widespread adoption of intensively-fed chickens, using scientifically formulated diets designed to optimize growth. This system reduces production costs, allows for predictable outputs, and helps maintain a consistent supply. Yet, this type of feeding method has led to concern about overuse of antibiotics.
• Advocates for sustainable agriculture argue against the environmental impact of intensively-fed pigs, which leads to massive waste production. They believe that such agricultural practices have led to higher rates of pollution, and negatively affect the local ecosystem. The current industry model, when taken on a global scale, is not able to meet environmental responsibility targets.