175 Chickens a Minute: The Slaughterhouse Job That Followed Him Into His Dreams

SIGN THE PETITION: Tell the USDA not to make 175-birds-per-minute slaughter lines the nationwide standard. https://animaloutlook.org/wayne-sanderson-2026-investigation-usda-letter-2/ His shift ended. The nightmares didn't. After working undercover at a North Carolina chicken slaughterhouse, an Animal Outlook investigator describes dreaming about chickens cowering in the corners of his room. At work, he was expected to hang approximately 22 birds every minute, feeding a slaughter line running at 175 birds per minute. Jane Velez-Mitchell speaks with the investigator, identified only as "Daniel" to protect his identity, and Animal Outlook's Ben Williamson about the physical and emotional toll of the job—and what their investigation documented happening to the chickens. Daniel recounts swollen fingers, wrist and back pain, and injuries among coworkers. The conversation examines Animal Outlook's allegations of rough handling and improper shackling, alongside concerns about animal suffering, worker safety, and food safety as federal officials consider expanding higher slaughter-line speeds. In this episode: • A firsthand account of four months working undercover • The chickens Daniel says he continued seeing in his dreams • The pressure to shackle 22 birds per worker, per minute • Animal Outlook's findings and the company's stated animal welfare commitments • The debate over expanding 175-birds-per-minute slaughter lines • How listeners can support the petition and take action Behind every production target are animals and people bearing the cost. Hear their story—and decide what should change. Watch this episode FREE: https://watch.unchainedtv.com/videos/high-speed-poultry-slaughter-exposed-1 Explore more free documentaries, interviews, and animal protection reporting at https://unchained.tv or download the free UnchainedTV app.