The Better Chicken Commitment is a set of standards adopted by food companies to improve broiler welfare above legal minimums across the key welfare indicators.
The Better Chicken Commitment represents one of the most successful examples of corporate welfare commitments driving meaningful standards improvement in recent years. By requiring slower-growing breeds, lower stocking density, natural light, enrichment, and improved slaughter methods, the BCC addresses the most significant welfare problems in commercial broiler production simultaneously. The commitment to slower-growing breeds is particularly significant as it addresses the root cause of many broiler welfare problems — the extreme growth rate that causes skeletal, cardiovascular, and metabolic problems — rather than simply managing the consequences. Progress toward implementation has been slower than originally targeted but the direction is clearly established.