Modern broiler chickens grow so rapidly that their bodies struggle to keep pace, causing widespread health problems and suffering across the industry.
The welfare crisis in broiler chicken production stems primarily from extreme genetic selection for rapid muscle growth. The body of a modern broiler chicken grows faster than its skeletal, cardiovascular, and immune systems can support, resulting in high rates of painful lameness, heart failure, and immune compromise. Birds that cannot walk normally cannot access food, water, or engage in natural behaviors. The Better Chicken Commitment and similar initiatives push for slower-growing breeds, more space, and environmental enrichment — changes backed by substantial welfare science demonstrating improved outcomes across all health indicators.