The number of chickens per square metre in commercial broiler houses directly affects their welfare, with high densities associated with reduced movement, increased disease, and chronic discomfort.
Stocking density is one of the most important single variables affecting broiler welfare outcomes. At the densities permitted under standard EU regulations, chickens in the final weeks before slaughter have insufficient space to move, forage, or engage in normal dustbathing and exploration. Modern fast-growing broiler breeds already have compromised mobility due to their extreme growth rates; high stocking density compounds this by creating a physically crowded environment where movement is further constrained. The welfare benefits of lower stocking density are well-evidenced and the additional costs are modest. Consumer and retailer pressure through commitments like the Better Chicken Commitment have driven meaningful progress.