Broiler breeder chickens are genetically selected for rapid growth but must be severely feed-restricted to prevent obesity and associated health problems, creating chronic hunger.
Broiler breeder welfare represents one of the most intractable welfare problems in poultry production. These birds are genetically predisposed to eat until they become obese and die - so producers restrict their feed to prevent this. The result is that birds live in a state of chronic hunger throughout their productive lives. The root cause is the selection of genetics that cannot maintain health without constant intervention. Moving to slower-growing parent stock genetics is the most humane long-term solution.