Broiler Chicken Welfare Campaigns — The Better Chicken Commitment

The Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) is a set of corporate welfare standards for broiler chickens that has been adopted by hundreds of food companies following coordinated advocacy campaigns.

Key Facts

The BCC requires slower-growing breeds, lower stocking densities, enrichment, and improved stunning
Over 200 food companies have signed BCC commitments in the US, Europe, and globally
Slower-growing breeds have significantly lower rates of lameness, leg disorders, and heart problems
Fulfillment of BCC commitments has been slower than advocates hoped — monitoring is essential
The Open Wing Alliance coordinates global BCC campaigns across 70+ countries

Welfare Considerations

The Better Chicken Commitment represents the most significant corporate welfare campaign success in the broiler sector to date. Its requirements — slower-growing breeds with better leg health, stocking density limits, enrichment provision, and improved killing methods — address the most severe welfare problems in intensive broiler production. The campaign's success demonstrates the corporate campaign model: coordinated pressure from multiple organizations, clear and specific demands, public commitment tracking, and escalation when companies fall behind on timelines. Monitoring and accountability have been the biggest challenges — many companies signed commitments but have been slow to implement them.

What You Can Do

Support Open Wing Alliance and Humane Society corporate campaign work with donations
Track which companies have signed and fulfilled BCC commitments at ChickenCheck.in
Reward companies that have fulfilled BCC commitments with your purchasing choices
Apply pressure to companies that have signed but not fulfilled commitments through social media and letters
Advocate for third-party auditing requirements to be mandatory for all BCC signatories