Farmed Animals

Chickens Raised for Meat Welfare: The Scale of Suffering

Broiler chickens represent the largest source of animal suffering in agriculture by number, with billions experiencing significant welfare problems each year.

Key Facts

Approximately 70 billion broiler chickens are slaughtered globally each year
Modern breeds grow so fast that many develop cardiovascular disease and lameness
Studies show 25 percent of commercial broilers have moderate to severe lameness
Higher welfare breeds growing more slowly have dramatically better health outcomes
The EU Broiler Directive sets minimum standards but enforcement is inconsistent

Welfare Considerations

Fast-growing broiler breeds experience chronic lameness, cardiovascular disease, ascites, and joint pain that impairs their ability to stand and walk normally. These are not individual farm failures but systemic outcomes of selective breeding for rapid growth. Switching to slower-growing breeds and improving housing conditions represents the most impactful welfare improvement available.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken from higher-welfare schemes using slower-growing breeds
Support retailer and food service commitments to higher welfare chicken standards
Reduce chicken consumption or shift to plant-based alternatives
Advocate for legislation mandating slower-growing breeds in commercial production
Support organizations working on broiler chicken welfare reform