Modern fast-growing broiler breeds reach slaughter weight in 42 days — roughly half the time of slower-growing ancestors. This extreme selection for growth rate has created serious welfare problems that are now a focus of major industry reform initiatives globally.
Fast-growth broilers spend their lives in chronic physiological stress. Cardiovascular and respiratory systems cannot keep pace with muscle growth, and leg disorders from excessive body weight cause pain that reduces mobility and access to food and water. Birds in pain spend more time lying in litter, increasing footpad and hock burn. The welfare case for slower-growing breeds is compelling: studies show lower lameness, better cardiovascular health, and higher activity levels. Consumer demand through retailer commitments has driven significant commercial change, demonstrating that market pressure backed by corporate pledges can achieve welfare improvements at scale faster than regulation alone.