Broiler parent birds — the breeding stock that produces meat chickens — are chronically hungry due to feed restriction designed to prevent obesity, causing profound suffering.
Broiler parent welfare represents one of the most significant and least discussed welfare problems in animal agriculture. These birds are genetically programmed to eat constantly and grow rapidly, yet are starved throughout their lives to remain reproductive. The result is an animal living in a permanent state of severe hunger — feeling the continuous drive to eat while being denied food. Studies show broiler breeders are motivated to work harder for food than virtually any other measured behavior. The welfare cost is not brief: these birds live for 40–60 weeks in chronic deprivation. Every consumer of conventionally farmed chicken is indirectly supporting this welfare harm, which exists because of how the industry's genetic improvement programs have created birds incompatible with ad libitum feeding.