Among the problems faced by chicken breeders who pack their chickens into close quarters is that the territorial birds will often henpeck each other, often to the point of cannibalism. One way to cut down on chicken-on-chicken crime is to trim the beaks of the birds. But a professor at Purdue University thinks he’s found the solution — breed nicer chickens.

William Muir of Purdue claims he’s developed a method of breeding the birds that would make for a more peaceful atmosphere in the coops and would cut down on the whole cannibalism thing.

Muir says peaceful hens would live longer and happier lives, meaning more eggs and less waste.

The big question facing those concerned with animal rights is: Does the fact that the birds aren’t killing each other as much make it okay to keep chickens in small spaces?

Purdue University scientist invents breeding method to produce peaceful chickens, reduce cannibalism

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