Fast-Growing Broiler Breeds and Welfare Reform

The shift toward slower-growing broiler breeds is one of the most impactful welfare improvements in commercial chicken production.

Key Facts

Conventional broilers reach slaughter weight in 35-42 days — triple the rate of 1950s birds
Slower-growing breeds take 56-70 days but show dramatically lower rates of metabolic disease
Major food companies including KFC and Subway have pledged to transition to slower-growing breeds
The Better Chicken Commitment sets specific welfare standards for participating companies
Slower-growing breeds have stronger legs, lower mortality, and better behavioural welfare indicators

Welfare Considerations

The genetic selection of commercial broilers for extreme growth rate is the root cause of most broiler welfare problems — lameness, respiratory disease, heart failure, and keel problems all stem from bodies that outpace their organ development. Transitioning to slower-growing breeds addresses these problems at source rather than attempting to manage their consequences. Corporate welfare commitments requiring slower-growing breeds represent the most impactful lever for improving the welfare of the billions of chickens in commercial production.

What You Can Do

Check whether your preferred chicken brands have signed the Better Chicken Commitment
Support campaigns for corporate welfare pledges from major food companies
Choose chicken from certified higher-welfare producers using slower-growing breeds
Learn about which broiler breeds are associated with better welfare outcomes
Advocate for regulatory minimum standards for broiler breed growth rates