Poultry Welfare

Broiler Chicken Skeletal Welfare

Modern broiler chickens grow so rapidly that their skeletons often cannot support their own body weight, causing widespread suffering.

Key Facts

Selective breeding has reduced broiler growth time from 84 days to 35-42 days since the 1950s
Up to 30% of fast-growing broilers show gait abnormalities by slaughter age
Leg disorders are the most common welfare issue in the broiler industry globally
Slow-growing breeds have dramatically lower rates of skeletal problems
The EU Better Chicken Commitment requires slower-growing genetics as a welfare standard

Welfare Considerations

The broiler industry has selectively bred chickens for extreme growth rates that their physiology cannot sustain. The result is birds whose muscles outpace their bones, leading to leg disorders, cardiovascular stress, and difficulty walking. Many affected birds spend much of their short lives unable to access food and water freely. Transitioning to slower-growing breeds is one of the most impactful systemic changes available to the poultry industry.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products that meet Better Chicken Commitment standards
Ask retailers and restaurants about their broiler welfare commitments
Support campaigns for slower-growing breed standards in national legislation
Reduce poultry consumption or shift to higher-welfare alternatives