Commercial broiler chickens have been selectively bred for extremely rapid growth, causing skeletal, cardiovascular, and metabolic health problems that compromise welfare for billions of birds annually.
The welfare of commercial broilers is fundamentally compromised by genetics that prioritise rapid muscle growth above the health of the whole animal. Birds that cannot walk without pain, struggle to breathe, or die from cardiac failure before reaching slaughter are experiencing severe suffering as a direct consequence of breeding decisions. Slower-growing breeds with better health outcomes exist and are used in higher-welfare production systems. The commercial case for transition is building as companies commit to better genetics, but consumer pressure and regulatory requirements are needed to accelerate change across the industry.