so how bad are factory farms? really?

Bad for whom?

Animals? Well they most certainly will be killed so that isn't good for them as far as they are concerned.

For humans? It how many people get their food. The mass production makes the food more affordable so that's good for humans. But sometimes, factory conditions can lead to problems such as contamination so that can't be good.

Reliability of videos such as the one you posted always depend on the source, Typically, any group with an agenda will try to show the worst situation to evoke stronger emotions and greater sympathy from their target audience. Some may even exaggerate. But anyway you put it, animal husbandry/farming will always end with blood and gore and death, It's the nature of the industry.

Honestly....I'd have to say it's common sense

compare 1. the growth of the human population with

2. the constant loss of land and increasing lack of un-industrialized land that comes with the rapid human growth with

3. the increasing demand for meat with

4. everyones obsession with making more money

all in all, you get factory farms: as many animals as can fit, as little vet attention as necessary, etc....ALL of abuses in factory farming are to CUT COSTS for the PRODUCER....to save money, and save space (which saves money as well...you don't need to have millions to own a farm when you can squeeze them all inside so they can't move around...gee how convenient!)

not only does the producer make more money by ignoring the health and social needs of animals, but they are also getting the product cheaper to the consumer because of this type of production (again...the goal is to make money, not make sure the animals are ok...animals are seen as products, nonetheless....and beating them or toturing them to make them move, squeal, or just because a worker is pissed of that day only supports the latter idea).

that's why products such as eggs/diary have been virtually unharmed by inflation in the past 50 years....because corporations are constantly coming up with more confined areas, automatic feeders, automatic waste systems....and the animals DONT EVEN NEED TO TURN AROUND OR MOVE A MUSCLE AND THEY ARE TAKEN CARE OF! WOW THEY MUST LIVE A GREAT LIFE HUH? they don't even NEED TO GO OUTSIDE! Which, explains also the decrease in jobs on factory farms; 1 to 2 ppl is needed only to "check up" on 200 or so sows once a day. And people are out there making a killing off of this.

...and there faster slaughterhouse lines that increase production rate, which is also why free-range farms are losing the battle

There is a documentary called "Earthlings" -- in it a few factories are exposed and their names run across the screen as you're watching. You can look up some of those.

But sadly, if a few are caught in the act, imagine how many get away with it. The bigger the farm, the more evil it is.

Actually, that video contains a lot of scenes from the Earthlings documentary.

Try www.meetyourmeat.com thats where the videos came from.