Broiler Welfare Progress in 2026: Assessing the State of Chicken Farming Reform

Broiler chicken welfare reforms have been a major focus of animal advocacy. In 2026, progress is mixed — with significant corporate commitments but slow implementation and persistent challenges.

Key Facts

Broiler chickens represent the largest vertebrate population kept for food globally, with approximately 70 billion slaughtered annually
The Better Chicken Commitment (BCC/European Chicken Commitment) has been signed by over 400 companies since 2016
Key BCC requirements include: slower-growing breeds, lower stocking density (30 kg/m2 maximum), improved litter, lighting, environmental enrichment, and controlled atmosphere stunning
By 2026, implementation of signed commitments remains uneven: some companies are on track while others have announced delays
Slower-growing breeds like JA87 and Hubbard develop more slowly but show significantly better leg health and activity levels
Leg disorders affect a majority of fast-growing broilers — gait scoring studies show most conventional broilers cannot walk normally

Welfare Considerations

The broiler welfare landscape in 2026 is characterized by significant aspirational commitment but challenging implementation. The Better Chicken Commitment, the most ambitious corporate welfare program in farm animal history, has been adopted by hundreds of companies but faces economic headwinds in translation to practice. Slower-growing breeds cost more to produce and require longer grow-out periods, creating price pressure in highly competitive poultry markets. For the welfare of the 70+ billion broilers alive annually, the gap between commitments and practice is consequential. The most urgent welfare problems — leg disorders causing chronic pain, inability to walk normally, and contact dermatitis from ammonia-laden litter — are directly addressed by BCC requirements and can be substantially resolved with appropriate implementation. Consumer, retailer, and investor pressure on company commitment fulfillment remains the primary driver of change.

What You Can Do

Check whether your preferred food brands and retailers have signed and are implementing the Better Chicken Commitment
Choose chicken products certified under higher-welfare standards: GAP 3+, RSPCA Assured, Certified Humane
Contact food companies that have signed but delayed BCC implementation to ask about their timeline
Support animal welfare organizations tracking corporate commitment fulfillment and holding companies accountable
Consider reducing broiler consumption and shifting toward slower-growing, certified welfare products when purchasing