The genetic selection of commercial broiler chickens for extreme growth rates is the root cause of most welfare problems in the industry. Slow-growth breeds represent the most impactful welfare solution.
Broiler chicken growth rate is the single most important welfare variable in chicken meat production. The genetic push for ever-faster growth has created birds whose bodies are fundamentally incompatible with healthy function — the cardiovascular system cannot sustain the metabolic demands of extreme muscle mass, joints cannot support the weight, and immune function is compromised. The result is that billions of birds live short but chronically painful lives — lameness, heart failure, and respiratory distress are the normal experience of commercial broilers. Switching to slower-growing breeds (those taking 56+ days to reach slaughter weight) dramatically reduces these welfare problems. Corporate commitments to slow-growth breeds through the Better Chicken Commitment have driven significant industry change in Europe and North America. Consumer pressure and purchasing aligned with BCC commitments is one of the highest-impact individual welfare actions available.