Broiler Breed Welfare: Fast-Growth vs Slower-Growing Alternatives

The breed of broiler chicken has a profound effect on welfare, with fast-growing breeds suffering significantly higher rates of leg disorders and heart problems.

Key Facts

Fast-growing broiler breeds reach slaughter weight in 35 days compared to 56-81 days for slower breeds
Leg disorders affect up to 30% of fast-growing broilers in intensive systems
Ascites (fluid accumulation from heart failure) affects 1-4% of conventional broilers
Slower-growing breeds show dramatically better leg health and activity levels
Major food companies and retailers have committed to switching to slower-growing breeds

Welfare Considerations

The genetics of fast-growing broiler breeds prioritise weight gain over biological health, resulting in birds whose musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems cannot keep pace with their growth rate. Pain from leg disorders causes chronic suffering that affects feeding, drinking and social behaviour. Switching to breeds growing at a more natural rate costs more but reduces welfare-compromising health problems substantially. The Better Chicken Commitment has driven significant industry change among committed signatories.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from companies signed to the Better Chicken Commitment
Advocate for supermarkets to commit to higher welfare breed standards
Support campaigns requiring slower-growing breeds in all retail chicken
Encourage food service providers to transition to higher welfare chicken breeds