Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds and Welfare

The shift from fast-growing commercial broiler breeds to slower-growing heritage breeds is one of the most significant welfare improvements available to the chicken industry.

Key Facts

Fast-growing Ross 308 and Cobb 500 breeds reach slaughter weight in 33-42 days
Leg disorders including hock burns and contact dermatitis affect 25-30% of fast-growing flocks
Slower-growing breeds take 56-70 days to reach slaughter weight
The Better Chicken Commitment requires breeds with lower mortality and better mobility
French Label Rouge system uses slower-growing breeds with outdoor access as standard

Welfare Considerations

Fast-growing broiler breeds carry genetic predispositions to cardiovascular disease, leg weakness, and respiratory problems that cause suffering throughout their shortened lives. Breeding for rapid weight gain has outpaced skeletal and cardiovascular development. Slower-growing breeds have significantly lower rates of leg disorders, heart failure, and ascites. The welfare benefit comes from genetics, not just management. Breed transition is the highest single-impact welfare intervention for broiler chickens.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken certified to Better Chicken Commitment breed standards
Ask retailers and restaurants which breed standards their chicken meets
Support RSPCA Assured, Organic, or equivalent schemes requiring slower-growing breeds
Advocate for mandatory breed standards in public sector food procurement
Support research into breed welfare profiles across commercial and alternative chicken genetics