English Learning for Curious Minds

#420 | The Economics of Chicken

11.16.2023 - By Leonardo EnglishPlay

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How has a small bird from the jungles of southeast Asia gone on to be the most popular source of protein in the world? 

In this episode, we are going to talk about the economics of chicken, and how farmers have managed to drastically reduce its price.  

The transformation of chicken from a luxury to a cheap protein source

Origin of domesticated chickens in Southeast Asia

Historical chicken sizes and uses

Development of efficient egg incubators

The post-war competition to breed bigger and cheaper chickens

The modern broiler chicken's rapid growth and engineered characteristics

The use of hormones and genetic modification in chicken farming

The impact on chicken prices and its popularity

The economics behind the low cost of rotisserie chicken

Ethical concerns related to chicken consumption and alternatives

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/chicken-economics

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