Modern broiler chickens have been selectively bred for extremely rapid growth, leading to serious welfare problems. Slower-growing breeds offer meaningful improvements but at higher production costs.
The welfare costs of extreme growth rate selection in broiler chickens are well-documented and severe. Fast-growing breeds develop skeletal and cardiovascular systems that cannot support their own body weight, leading to painful leg disorders and sudden death syndrome. Birds suffer chronically from the moment their growth rate outpaces their structural development. The welfare solution — slower-growing breeds — is known, tested, and available. The barrier is cost, as slower-growing breeds require more feed and time to reach market weight. Corporate commitments and consumer willingness to pay premiums are the key leverage points.