Broiler chickens are the most numerous land animals on Earth, and their welfare is shaped fundamentally by genetics, stocking density, and access to enrichment — all of which are modifiable at industry scale.
Broiler welfare reform is arguably the highest-impact single intervention in farm animal welfare by numbers affected. The welfare problems are systemic and genetic — birds bred for extreme growth rates live short lives in chronic pain from skeletal and cardiovascular compromise. The Better Chicken Commitment, adopted by hundreds of food companies, represents the most significant corporate welfare commitment in history in terms of animal numbers affected. Meeting BCC standards — slower growth genetics, 30 kg/m² stocking density, natural light, enrichment, and meaningful outdoor access for free-range — would meaningfully improve the lives of tens of billions of animals annually. Progress on implementation is the critical next step.