Farm Animals

Broiler Chicken Leg Disorders

Fast-growing broiler breeds commonly suffer painful leg disorders due to selective breeding for rapid weight gain, affecting millions of birds worldwide.

Key Facts

Up to 30% of conventionally farmed broilers show gait abnormalities
Birds with poor gait spend more time lying in ammonia-rich litter
Leg problems are strongly linked to genetics bred for fast growth
Slower-growing breeds have significantly lower rates of lameness

Welfare Considerations

Broilers with leg disorders experience chronic pain that affects every aspect of their lives: feeding, socialising, avoiding conflict and accessing water. Studies show lame birds prefer pain-relieving feed additives, demonstrating subjective experience of pain. Lying in wet litter causes further suffering through hock burn and breast blisters.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken from slower-growing breeds (look for RSPCA Assured or Better Chicken Commitment labels)
Ask restaurants and food businesses whether they have adopted the Better Chicken Commitment
Reduce consumption of cheap chicken where welfare standards are unclear
Support campaigns for mandatory breed welfare standards in poultry