Poultry and Slaughter Age Welfare

Broiler chickens reach slaughter weight at 35 to 42 days — a fraction of their natural lifespan — during which their rapid growth creates musculoskeletal problems that impair welfare in their final weeks.

Key Facts

Modern broilers reach 2.5 kg market weight in 35 to 42 days through selective breeding and nutrition
Leg disorders including contact dermatitis and tibial dyschondroplasia are prevalent in fast-growing birds
Birds with severe lameness have difficulty reaching food and water in the final days before slaughter
Slower-growing breeds take 56 to 81 days to reach market weight but show dramatically lower leg disorder rates
Major European retailers including Waitrose, M&S, and Aldi UK have committed to slower-growing breed sourcing
The Better Chicken Commitment is a welfare standard requiring slower-growing breeds, better space, and enrichment

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of modern broiler chickens in their final weeks before slaughter is compromised by the biological consequences of extreme growth rate selection. Skeletal systems cannot keep pace with muscle mass accumulation, resulting in lameness that impairs mobility and the ability to access resources. Animals in pain in their final days represent a welfare failure that is directly correctable through breed selection. Slower-growing breeds cost more to produce but deliver measurably better welfare without requiring management changes — the genetics themselves are the intervention. Consumer and retailer commitments to slower-growing breeds are the primary lever for industry-wide change.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken from brands that have signed the Better Chicken Commitment or equivalent welfare standards
Support retailers committed to transitioning to slower-growing breeds
Advocate for minimum breed welfare standards in poultry production legislation
Reduce broiler chicken consumption or shift to plant-based alternatives
Engage food companies about their broiler breed welfare timelines and progress