The choice of broiler breed is one of the most significant welfare decisions in poultry production. Fast-growing conventional breeds suffer higher rates of lameness, heart failure and pododermatitis than slower-growing alternatives.
Broiler breed welfare is a structural welfare problem baked into the genetics of commercial production. Fast-growing breeds that double live weight every 6-7 days develop musculature faster than their cardiovascular and skeletal systems can support — resulting in leg weakness, heart enlargement and pododermatitis. Birds in their final week are essentially living with chronic pain from leg disorders and heart stress. Slower-growing breeds require longer growing periods (and thus higher production costs) but show dramatically better welfare outcomes: lower lameness prevalence, better cardiovascular function and more natural behaviour patterns. The Better Chicken Commitment — signed by most major UK retailers — requires transition to slower breeds, but the 2026 commitment deadline requires active monitoring to verify compliance.