Modern broiler chickens have been selectively bred for such rapid growth that many suffer chronic leg pain, cardiovascular disease, and inability to walk normally.
The modern broiler chicken is arguably the most welfare-compromised farm animal due to selective breeding that prioritizes growth rate over health. Chronic lameness means billions of birds spend their lives in pain, unable to walk normally or engage in natural behaviors. Cardiovascular failure kills millions before they even reach slaughter weight. The solution is clear: transitioning to slower-growing breeds substantially improves welfare without requiring housing changes. Major retailers in Europe and the US have committed to Better Chicken Commitment standards that require slower-growing breeds, and consumer advocacy is accelerating this transition.