Modern broiler chickens have been selectively bred for such rapid growth that their bodies often cannot support their own weight, creating a welfare crisis at industrial scale.
Broiler chicken welfare represents one of the most clear-cut cases in animal agriculture where the production system itself causes inherent welfare harm. The genetic profile of commercial broilers creates chronic suffering that cannot be fully mitigated by housing improvements alone. Meaningful reform requires a transition to slower-growing breeds with anatomy capable of supporting normal movement and behaviour throughout their lives. Approximately 70 billion broilers are raised globally each year, making this one of the largest single welfare problems in the world.