Broiler breeders — the parent birds that produce fast-growing commercial chickens — suffer some of the worst welfare outcomes in poultry farming, kept chronically hungry to prevent metabolic disease.
Broiler breeders are among the most welfare-compromised animals in the food system. Their genetics demand maximum feed consumption, but unrestricted feeding causes heart failure and skeletal collapse before breeding age. Feed restriction to 60-80% of ad libitum intake is the industry norm — causing chronic hunger demonstrated by continuous food-seeking behaviour, frustration, and stereotypy. This welfare compromise is entirely the result of selective breeding for the commercial broiler, and would be resolved by transitioning to slower-growing genetics.