Intensive Broiler Welfare Reform Progress

The Better Chicken Commitment has driven significant market-led broiler welfare reform, with major retailers committing to slower-growing breeds, higher welfare standards, and better environmental conditions.

Key Facts

Over 300 companies globally have signed the Better Chicken Commitment
Signatory companies commit to slower-growing breeds, lower stocking density, and improved environments
Slower-growing breeds (Ross 308 vs Hubbard JA757) show dramatically better welfare outcomes
Major UK retailers including Marks and Spencer and Waitrose have achieved or near-achieved BCC
Non-signatory retailers continue selling conventional welfare standard chicken without commitment

Welfare Considerations

BCC welfare progress demonstrates market-led change: commitments from major retailers and food companies have driven significant investment in slower-growing breed production and improved housing. The welfare improvement is measurable — lower lameness, reduced cardiovascular problems, and higher welfare audit scores. The challenge is the gap between committed companies and the remaining conventional market: billions of chickens are still produced under conventional intensive conditions. Consumer choice concentrated toward BCC-committed companies accelerates the transition.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken from BCC-committed brands and retailers where available
Check the CIWF BCC scorecard to identify the most committed companies
Reduce conventional chicken consumption to shift market toward BCC-compliant production
Advocate for retailers not yet committed to sign the BCC
Support Compassion in World Farming's BCC campaign