Farm Animals

Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds Welfare

Transitioning to slower-growing broiler breeds is one of the most impactful welfare improvements available to the poultry industry.

Key Facts

Slower-growing breeds achieve market weight in 56+ days vs 47 days for standard breeds
They have dramatically lower rates of leg disorders, heart disease, and ascites
Major retailers have committed to the Better Chicken Commitment requiring slower breeds
Welfare improvements come with modest cost increases estimated at 1-3 cents per portion

Welfare Considerations

Slow-growing breeds represent a practical, commercially viable improvement that addresses the root cause of broiler welfare problems. Unlike housing or enrichment changes, breed change prevents the metabolic diseases that cause endemic suffering in modern broiler production. Corporate commitments through the Better Chicken Commitment are driving industry change faster than regulation alone.

What You Can Do

Support retailers and food service companies that have signed the Better Chicken Commitment
Ask restaurants and grocery chains about their broiler breed policies
Choose chicken products from producers using slower-growing or heritage breeds
Advocate for poultry welfare standards requiring slower-growing breed genetics