There is a demand for more humane slaughter. One method is to have the processing come to the birds instead of the other way around -- saves the birds a lot of stress. Also they use stunning methods to make sure birds are unconscious when killed. Look at the "Animal Welfare Approved" site. They...
One of my Silkie x hens hatched out a nice brood a few eeks ago. I left her with the others but in a big cage. One by one the other Silkies got in with her, so i finally ditched the cage. Now there are 7 babies and 5 mommies. Every night they sleep in a big pile.