Poultry Welfare and Rapid Growth Breeds

The welfare gap between fast-growing and slow-growing broiler breeds is one of the most well-documented in farm animal science, with breed change representing the single most impactful welfare improvement available.

Key Facts

Ross 308 (standard commercial breed) grows to market weight in 33-35 days
Hubbard JA (slower-growing alternative) takes 52-56 days but shows dramatically better welfare
Fast-growing breeds show 4-5 times higher lameness rates than slower-growing alternatives
Cardiovascular problems (sudden death syndrome, ascites) are endemic in fast-growing breeds
The Better Chicken Commitment requires slower-growing breeds by 2026 for signatory companies

Welfare Considerations

Breed change welfare impact is structural and permanent: a farm that switches from Ross 308 to Hubbard JA produces chickens that are physically capable of normal walking, standing, and behaviour expression. The welfare improvement is not contingent on ongoing management attention — it is built into the animals' genetics. This makes breed change the most reliable welfare improvement available in broiler production, delivering benefits for every bird in every flock from the moment of transition. Consumer demand for higher-welfare chicken is the primary driver of breed transition.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from BCC-committed companies using slower-growing breeds
Ask food businesses about their broiler breed welfare commitments
Support Compassion in World Farming BCC campaign for breed change by 2026
Reduce chicken consumption to concentrate purchasing at higher-welfare products
Engage retailers on progress toward their BCC breed commitments