Slow-Growth Broiler Breeds: The Path to Better Chicken Welfare

Standard fast-growing broiler breeds suffer chronic pain and health problems due to selective breeding for rapid growth. Slow-growth breeds offer a humane alternative with growing market support.

Key Facts

Standard broilers reach slaughter weight in 35-42 days, causing skeletal and cardiac strain
Up to 30% of fast-growing broilers experience chronic leg pain
Slow-growth breeds take 56+ days but show dramatically better mobility and health
The Better Chicken Commitment has been signed by 200+ major food companies worldwide
Slow-growth chicken costs approximately 20-30% more to produce

Welfare Considerations

The welfare crisis in broiler chicken production is largely invisible to consumers but affects over 70 billion birds annually. Extreme growth rates cause joint pain, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders that leave many birds unable to walk to food and water. Slow-growth breeds, combined with higher welfare standards for lighting, space, and enrichment, produce chickens that live relatively normal chicken lives. The Better Chicken Commitment outlines specific breed and management standards that brands can commit to adopting.

What You Can Do

Look for chicken certified under high-welfare standards such as Better Chicken
Support food companies that have signed the Better Chicken Commitment
Reduce chicken consumption to lower demand for fast-growing production
Ask restaurants about their chicken sourcing and welfare commitments
Donate to organizations working on broiler welfare industry transitions