Broiler Breed Welfare and Slower-Growing Chickens

The genetics of broiler chickens — birds bred for rapid growth to slaughter weight — is one of the most fundamental welfare determinants in commercial poultry, with fast-growing breeds suffering chronic health problems that slower-growing alternatives avoid.

Key Facts

Standard commercial broiler breeds reach slaughter weight in 35-42 days; slower-growing breeds take 56-70 days
Fast-growing broilers commonly suffer lameness, heart failure, ascites, and breast blisters due to their extreme body conformation
Studies show slower-growing broilers perform more natural behaviours, walk more, and have significantly lower mortality rates
The Better Chicken Commitment calls for signatories to transition to slower-growing breeds by 2026, signed by hundreds of food companies
Slower-growing chicken costs approximately 10-20% more to produce, creating a competitive barrier to voluntary industry transition

Welfare Considerations

Broiler breed genetics represents the most upstream welfare intervention available in commercial chicken production — addressing the root cause of multiple downstream welfare problems simultaneously. Corporate commitments to slower-growing breeds, backed by consumer and retailer pressure, are the primary driver of change in a market where individual farmers have limited control over genetics. Supporting the Better Chicken Commitment and its signatories through purchasing decisions is one of the highest-impact consumer welfare actions available.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from companies that have signed or fulfilled the Better Chicken Commitment
Reduce chicken consumption given that broilers represent one of the highest welfare-impact species per kilogram consumed
Engage food companies and supermarkets with the Better Chicken Commitment framework when making supplier decisions
Support policy requiring breed welfare assessment as part of commercial poultry licensing conditions