Modern broiler chickens grow so fast their legs and hearts struggle to keep up. Addressing this welfare crisis requires industry-wide commitment to slower-growing breeds.
Broiler chicken welfare has been transformed by selective breeding for rapid weight gain. The skeleton and cardiovascular system cannot keep pace with muscle growth, resulting in painful leg deformities and heart conditions in birds that are still young. A chicken that struggles to walk to food and water is experiencing chronic welfare compromise. The solution - switching to slower-growing breeds - is technically simple but requires consumer and retailer commitment to pay higher prices. The Better Chicken Commitment signed by major retailers is the most significant industry welfare initiative.