Broiler breeder chickens - the parents of commercial broilers - face unique welfare challenges from feed restriction and the conflicts between selection for growth and reproductive success.
Broiler breeder welfare sits at an uncomfortable intersection of industry economics and animal welfare. The genetics that produce efficient meat chickens also produce birds that would become obese and unhealthy if fed ad libitum. Feed restriction prevents these health problems but creates chronic hunger in animals that are motivated to eat continuously. Research using cognitive bias tests shows that feed-restricted broiler breeders have pessimistic cognitive states - a welfare indicator of chronic stress. The systemic solution is breeding away from the fastest-growing genetics, which would reduce the need for feed restriction and improve breeder welfare. This is happening gradually through the Better Chicken Commitment's adoption of slower-growing breeds.