The growth rate of commercial broiler chickens is the single most important determinant of their welfare. Understanding the evidence base and the Better Chicken Commitment is essential for effective advocacy.
Broiler growth rate welfare is the nexus point of the entire commercial chicken welfare debate. The genetic drive for rapid growth creates a cascade of welfare problems - leg weakness, cardiovascular stress, skin lesions, and restricted behavior - that cannot be adequately addressed without addressing the underlying genetics. The Better Chicken Commitment establishes breed criteria as a non-negotiable welfare floor, not an aspirational target. Corporate commitments to the BCC have been made by hundreds of food companies globally, representing the largest single welfare commitment in food history. Fulfillment monitoring by organizations like the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare tracks implementation progress.