The welfare crisis in conventional broiler chickens stems largely from extreme genetic selection for rapid growth, and transitioning to slower-growing breeds addresses the root cause of many welfare problems.
Conventional broiler genetics represent the most pervasive single cause of preventable farm animal suffering in the world. Extreme growth rates push birds beyond what their cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems can support. Broilers spend increasing proportions of their lives unable to walk comfortably. Slower-growing breeds with more balanced genetics simply do not suffer these problems at the same rate. Breed change, combined with enrichment and reduced stocking density, represents the most impactful single intervention for broiler welfare.