Leg Disorders in Broiler Chickens

Leg disorders affect the majority of fast-growing broiler chickens, causing chronic pain that is one of the most significant welfare problems in commercial agriculture.

Key Facts

Studies find up to 35% of fast-growing broilers show poor locomotion in the final weeks
Tibial dyschondroplasia and valgus-varus deformity are the most common conditions
Affected birds spend more time lying in litter, leading to contact dermatitis
Leg disorders reduce growth rates and cause significant economic losses
Slower-growing breeds show dramatically lower rates of leg disorder

Welfare Considerations

Broiler chickens with leg disorders live with chronic pain during their entire commercial lifespan. Pain interferes with feeding and drinking, creating a secondary welfare impact on nutrition. The scale of this welfare problem — potentially hundreds of millions of birds globally at any time — makes it one of the largest sources of animal suffering in existence. Practical solutions exist through breed selection and stocking density management but require economic incentives to implement.

What You Can Do

Choose slower-growing breed chicken products where certified
Advocate for breed welfare standards in commercial broiler production
Support the Better Chicken Commitment requirements for slower-growing breeds
Back research into leg disorder prevention and pain management
Reduce broiler chicken consumption as the primary systemic intervention