Broiler chickens face some of the most significant welfare challenges in animal agriculture, with progress through higher welfare standards facing ongoing industry resistance.
Fast-growing breeds develop faster than their skeletal and cardiovascular systems can support, causing lameness, heart failure, and ascites in a significant proportion of birds. Litter quality problems cause hock burns and foot pad dermatitis in a majority of conventionally raised birds. High stocking densities prevent expression of natural behaviors. Electrical water bath stunning may not render all birds unconscious before slaughter.