Broiler Chicken Welfare: The 1kg-in-35-Days Problem

Modern broiler chickens have been selectively bred to reach slaughter weight in 35 days, causing chronic suffering from skeletal, cardiac, and respiratory disorders.

Key Facts

Modern broiler breeds gain 50g per day — unselected breeds gain 10-15g per day
Approximately 60-70% of commercial broilers show detectable lameness at slaughter
Fast-growing breeds have hearts and lungs that cannot keep pace with their rapid muscle growth
Broilers spend up to 80% of their time lying down due to the metabolic cost of their growth
The Broiler Ask — a campaign supported by 200+ companies — demands adoption of slower-growing breeds
European retailers including Marks and Spencer and Waitrose have committed to Broiler Ask standards

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of commercial broilers is one of the largest scale animal suffering problems on the planet. Around 70 billion are slaughtered annually, with the majority experiencing chronic leg pain, cardiac stress, and respiratory difficulties throughout their brief lives. These are not farming failures — they are the predictable result of selective breeding for growth rate at the expense of physiological health. The solution is conversion to slower-growing breeds (such as RSPCA Assured or Broiler Ask-compliant breeds), reduced stocking densities, enrichment, and improved litter quality. Each of these changes is proven, achievable, and commercially viable.

What You Can Do

Purchase chicken only from RSPCA Assured, Soil Association, or equivalent higher-welfare sources
Ask supermarkets and restaurants about their broiler welfare commitments
Support the Broiler Ask campaign by signing petitions and writing to food companies
Reduce chicken consumption and replace with plant proteins where possible
Share broiler welfare facts widely — this is one of the most under-reported animal welfare issues