Poultry Welfare

Broiler Mortality: A Key Welfare Indicator

Mortality rates in commercial broiler flocks reflect welfare quality, with high mortality indicating disease, management failures, or genetic health problems.

Key Facts

Normal broiler mortality in intensive systems is approximately 3-5% per cycle
Ascites (water belly) and sudden death syndrome are welfare problems linked to rapid growth genetics
Mortality monitoring identifies welfare problems before they escalate to flock-wide events
RSPCA Assured requires mortality to be monitored and reported as a welfare outcome
Higher welfare broiler systems using slower-growing breeds have significantly lower mortality rates

Welfare Considerations

Broiler mortality is a direct indicator of welfare failures within flocks. Birds dying from cardiovascular collapse, ascites, and leg failure are suffering welfare harms linked to genetic selection for rapid growth. Monitoring mortality closely and responding to elevated rates reveals welfare problems that require management intervention. Slower-growing breeds have substantially lower mortality rates, demonstrating that genetic selection can prevent these deaths.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from slower-growing breed schemes with lower mortality rates
Support campaigns for broiler welfare standards that specify maximum mortality rates
Advocate for genetic selection criteria to prioritize health and survival alongside growth rate
Donate to research into broiler breed health and welfare improvements