Antibiotic Use in Poultry and Welfare Implications

Prophylactic antibiotic use in poultry farming masks welfare problems and contributes to antimicrobial resistance with global health consequences.

Key Facts

Approximately 70% of global antibiotic use occurs in livestock, primarily poultry and swine
Prophylactic use of antibiotics in poultry prevents disease in crowded conditions that would otherwise cause mass mortality
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria from farms reach human populations through food, water, and direct contact
The EU banned prophylactic antibiotic use in livestock in 2022 — many other countries have not followed
Reducing antibiotics requires improving underlying welfare conditions including density, litter quality, and ventilation

Welfare Considerations

The link between antibiotic use and welfare is direct: farms that require antibiotics to maintain flock health are farms where welfare is insufficient to prevent disease. Reducing antibiotic use requires addressing the root conditions that make animals susceptible. Welfare improvement and antibiotic stewardship are the same intervention.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from antibiotic-free certified producers where available
Advocate for global extension of the EU ban on prophylactic antibiotic use in livestock
Support the movement to improve underlying farm conditions as the foundation for antibiotic reduction