How selective breeding for rapid growth has created welfare problems in broiler chickens and what industry and consumers can do about it.
The genetics of modern commercial broilers represent perhaps the most fundamental and widespread welfare problem in food animal production because the selection for rapid growth has created animals whose biology causes suffering as a direct consequence of their physiological design. Broilers that struggle to walk, develop cardiovascular disease and experience leg pain simply from bearing their own body weight are experiencing welfare compromise that cannot be fully resolved through improved husbandry without addressing the underlying genetics. The transition to slower-growing breeds is the most impactful single change available, and the Better Chicken Commitment represents a significant industry-led response, but implementation pace and enforcement mechanisms remain important ongoing concerns.