Broiler Chicken Breed Welfare: The Case for Slower-Growing Birds

The broiler chicken industry has selected for extreme growth rates that cause severe welfare problems. Slower-growing breeds offer a science-backed path to better outcomes.

Key Facts

Modern broiler chickens reach slaughter weight in 35-42 days compared to 84+ days for heritage breeds
Approximately 70 billion broiler chickens are raised globally each year
Leg disorders affect up to 30% of standard broiler flocks due to skeletal systems unable to support rapid muscle growth
Cardiac failure from fast growth affects significant proportions of standard broiler flocks
The Better Chicken Commitment calls for slower-growing breeds, enriched environments, and improved stunning
Companies including Whole Foods, Waitrose, and others have committed to higher welfare breed standards
Slower-growing breeds show dramatically lower rates of leg disorders, cardiovascular problems, and mortality

Welfare Considerations

The welfare problems of modern broiler breeds are created entirely by human selective breeding choices. Selecting for maximum growth rate has produced birds whose hearts, lungs, and skeletons cannot keep pace with their muscle growth. Broilers in the final weeks before slaughter spend increasing amounts of time lying down because standing and walking is painful. Hock burns from lying in wet litter are nearly universal. These are not natural limitations — they are the direct result of prioritizing feed conversion efficiency over animal health. Slower-growing breeds that reach slaughter weight in 56+ days show dramatically better welfare outcomes with only modest increases in production cost.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from slower-growing breed systems when available — look for Better Chicken Commitment certifications
Reduce overall chicken consumption — volume reduction benefits welfare proportionally
Advocate with food companies and restaurants to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment
Support campaign organizations pushing for mandatory slower-growing breed standards
Donate to welfare research comparing outcomes across breed types and production systems