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The assembly line at Empire Kosher Poultry's plant in central Pennsylvania is the largest kosher one of its kind in America, with 240,000 chickens and 27,000 turkeys passing through every week. (Uriel Heilman) After 18 days of incubation, a chick is born -- along with the vast majority of the 4,320 other eggs in each cart at Empire's hatchery. (Uriel Heilman) In about a month, the 30,000 nine-day-old chicks being raised in this single-story chicken house will be ready for slaughter. (Uriel Heilman) The Zimmermans, a Mennonite family that raises chickens for Empire, run a 38-acre farm in McAlisterville, Pa. (Ralph Alswang) A shochet, or ritual slaughterer, recites Psalms during a break from his work. (Uriel Heilman) The knives used by ritual slaughterers must be checked every few minutes during use and can cost up to $300. (Uriel Heilman) Jeff Brown, Empire's chief operating officer, holds a package of boneless chicken breasts that has reached the end of the assembly line. (Uriel Heilman) Lunch. (Uriel Heilman)

Lunch. (Uriel Heilman)

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