India's rapidly growing broiler sector produces over 4 million tonnes annually with welfare standards well below those developing in Europe.
Indian broiler welfare represents a scale challenge: enormous numbers of birds in a system with virtually no welfare regulation. The adoption of fast-growing breeds that cause high rates of leg disorders in the absence of the welfare management that partially compensates in European systems creates significant suffering at scale. Welfare improvement in Indian broiler production requires developing practical standards appropriate to local production contexts and building consumer and regulatory demand domestically rather than solely relying on export market pressure. Engagement with the Indian poultry sector on welfare issues achievable at low cost would benefit hundreds of millions of birds.