Modern fast-growing broiler chickens are bred for extreme growth rates that cause chronic health problems, but the Better Chicken Commitment and similar corporate pledges are driving welfare improvements at scale.
The welfare harm built into fast-growing broiler genetics is systemic and pervasive — affecting every bird in the commercial system. Lameness sufficient to prevent normal movement, cardiac ascites causing respiratory distress, and contact dermatitis from sitting in ammonia-laden litter are not exceptional welfare failures but routine conditions experienced by billions of birds annually. The Better Chicken Commitment represents the most significant ongoing welfare reform effort in commercial animal agriculture, with potential to improve conditions for billions of birds if implemented as pledged. The key welfare challenge is ensuring that corporate commitments translate into actual supply chain changes within stated timelines.