Broiler (meat) chickens raised in intensive conditions represent the largest population of farm animals globally. Understanding their welfare challenges is essential for any serious consideration of animal welfare.
No other welfare issue operates at the scale of intensive broiler chicken production. The sheer number of animals — tens of billions annually — means that even small per-animal welfare improvements translate to an enormous reduction in aggregate suffering. The link between fast growth rate and welfare problems is well-established: the genetics that produce rapid, efficient growth have created animals whose bodies are fundamentally mismatched to their physiological capacity. Welfare improvements require either slower-growing breeds, better management, or both. The Better Chicken Commitment, now signed by hundreds of companies, represents the most significant market-based welfare reform in this space.