Broiler chickens have been selectively bred for rapid growth that causes serious health problems. Switching to slower-growing breeds and higher welfare standards dramatically improves their quality of life.
The welfare crisis in commercial broiler production is rooted in decades of selection for growth rate at the expense of health. Chickens that cannot walk properly or that suffer from cardiovascular insufficiency are experiencing chronic pain and distress that current systems accept as normal. Welfare reform in this sector requires shifting the fundamental production model: slower growth, more space, natural light, enrichment including perches and pecking objects, and meaningful outdoor access. The economic cost of switching to slower-growing breeds is real but modest — estimates suggest approximately 10-15 cents per meal for consumers. The welfare benefit is transformative: slower-growing birds have dramatically lower lameness rates, better cardiovascular health, and the physical capacity to express normal chicken behaviors.