September is National Chicken Month. How much do you know about America’s most popular meat?
1. There are more chickens alive today that there are cats, dogs, pigs, cows and rats—combined. 
2. Though chickens were brought along with the early American colonists, by the George Washington’s time, turkey, goose, pigeon, and duck were more popular than chicken.
Slaves, who were barred from raising cattle, horses, or hogs, were often only allowed to raise chickens. As a result, raising chickens was one of the ways slaves had to earn money.
3. The only continent without chickens is Antarctica.
There is an international treaty in place barring the birds from Antarctica in order to protect the local penguins from disease.
4. Women and minorities were fundamental in growing poultry in the US into an industry.
Farm women in the early 20th century found that they were able to profit from selling eggs, and small scale egg-laying operations grew into large-scale, women-owned hatcheries.
5. Working in poultry is one of the most dangerous jobs in the US.
Poultry has more injuries than the construction industry, the auto industry, the steel industry, saw mills, and many other high-risk industries, but the UFCW is working to change that.
