Farm Animals

Poultry Welfare and Breed Diversity

The dominance of a few commercial poultry breeds in global production has reduced genetic diversity and created welfare-compromising traits through extreme selection.

Key Facts

Ross 308 and Cobb 500 broiler breeds dominate global production
Heritage and rare breeds including Dorking and Sussex maintain genetic diversity
Slower-growing breeds including JA757 have better welfare outcomes than dominant commercial breeds
Laying hen genetics is dominated by a few multinational breeding companies
Heritage breed eggs and meat are increasingly available as consumer interest grows

Welfare Considerations

Commercial poultry genetics optimised for single production traits create welfare problems including the fast growth pathologies of commercial broilers and the egg production intensity that causes bone disease in layers. Heritage and slower-growing breeds demonstrate that commercially viable production is possible without these welfare compromises. Consumer demand for heritage breed products supports genetic diversity while improving welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Choose heritage or slower-growing breed poultry products when available
Support farms maintaining rare and heritage poultry breeds
Advocate for breed welfare assessment in poultry sector quality standards
Learn about heritage poultry breeds and their welfare advantages
Support rare poultry breed conservation through the Rare Breeds Survival Trust