Broiler Welfare: The Case for Slower-Growing Breeds

Selective breeding for rapid growth has created serious welfare problems in commercial broiler chickens. Slower-growing breeds offer a pathway to improved welfare without abandoning poultry production.

Key Facts

Modern fast-growing broilers reach slaughter weight in 35-42 days — double the rate of 50 years ago
Rapid growth causes leg disorders, cardiovascular problems, and ascites in a significant proportion of birds
Up to 25% of commercial broilers experience pain from leg weakness affecting their gait
Slower-growing breeds (e.g., Label Rouge types) take 56-81 days to reach market weight
Studies show slower-growing birds have significantly fewer leg problems, better cardiovascular health, and engage in more natural behaviours
Major food companies including KFC, McDonald's, and supermarkets have signed the Better Chicken Commitment

Welfare Considerations

The welfare cost of fast-growing broiler genetics is severe and well-documented. Pain from leg disorders causes chronic suffering for millions of birds daily. Cardiac failure and ascites cause acute distress. These problems are not inevitable — they are the direct result of breeding decisions prioritising growth over health. Transitioning to slower-growing breeds requires modest investment but delivers substantial welfare improvements. Consumer demand for higher-welfare chicken and retailer commitments to the Better Chicken Commitment are the most effective levers for change.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken labelled as higher welfare: RSPCA Assured, free-range, or organic
Ask your supermarket and favourite restaurant whether they have signed the Better Chicken Commitment
Reduce chicken consumption and shift to less frequently eaten, higher-welfare products
Support organisations campaigning for broiler welfare reform through breed standards
Write to your local supermarket asking about their broiler welfare commitments and timeline