Broiler Welfare Reform: Corporate Commitments and Progress

Corporate welfare commitments including the Better Chicken Commitment are driving meaningful improvements in broiler welfare, with progress tracking revealing both advancement and persistent gaps.

Key Facts

Over 300 companies globally have signed the Better Chicken Commitment requiring slower-growing breeds, higher space and enrichment
Progress reporting from NGOs shows variable implementation — some companies ahead of timelines, others significantly behind
The BCC requires breeds achieving 6-point Welfare Outcomes on the Bristol Welfare Scoring system
Compliant operations show significant reductions in lameness, mortality and other welfare indicators
Cost premium for higher welfare broiler production is approximately 10-30% over conventional production
Consumer demand signals through purchasing directly influence whether food companies maintain commitment timelines

Welfare Considerations

Corporate broiler welfare commitments represent one of the most significant welfare policy advances of the past decade, potentially improving conditions for hundreds of millions of birds. Progress is real but uneven — some companies are delivering on commitments while others lag, and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains contributing to delays. Ongoing pressure through consumer choice, retailer sourcing policies and NGO accountability reporting is essential to maintain momentum. The welfare benefit, when commitments are fully implemented, is substantial — slower-growing birds with more space live demonstrably better lives.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from companies verified as meeting Better Chicken Commitment standards
Ask food companies and restaurants about their BCC progress and implementation timelines
Support NGOs tracking and reporting corporate welfare commitment progress
Advocate for food companies to accelerate BCC implementation rather than seeking timeline extensions
Reduce conventional broiler consumption to reduce demand pressure that makes welfare improvements easier