Chicken Broiler Welfare Reforms | Animal Welfare Hub

Broiler chicken welfare improvements through breed selection, stocking density reduction, and environmental enrichment are among the most impactful welfare reforms available in food production.

Key Facts

Approximately 70 billion broiler chickens are produced globally each year
Modern fast-growing broiler breeds can reach slaughter weight in 35-42 days
Fast-growing breeds experience higher rates of lameness, cardiovascular disease, and ascites than slower-growing breeds
The Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) calls for slower-growing breeds, lower stocking densities, and enrichment
Leg disorders affect up to 30% of fast-growing broilers, causing lameness and chronic pain
Stocking densities in conventional production commonly reach 38 kg/m2 or higher
Slower-growing breeds show improved leg health, lower mortality, and more active behavior

Welfare Considerations

Fast-growing broiler chickens represent one of the most severe welfare problems in food production by scale. These birds have been selectively bred to grow so rapidly that their bodies struggle to support them - their legs frequently cannot carry their weight, their hearts and lungs are prone to failure, and their skin develops painful contact dermatitis from lying on litter. A significant proportion of birds in conventional production live their entire short lives in chronic pain from leg disorders. The scale is enormous - tens of billions of animals annually. Breed reform toward slower-growing chickens is the most impactful single welfare improvement available in poultry production.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products certified to the Better Chicken Commitment or equivalent standards
Ask fast food companies and retailers about their broiler welfare commitments and timelines
Support consumer campaigns advocating for slower-growing breed adoption
Reduce overall chicken consumption and shift spending to higher-welfare certified products
Educate others about the welfare implications of fast-growing broiler breeds
Support legislation setting maximum growth rate or minimum health standards for broiler breeds