Farmed Broiler Breed Selection Welfare Science

The genetics of broiler chickens is the single most important determinant of their welfare potential, with conventional fast-growth breeds carrying significant inherent welfare disadvantages.

Key Facts

Conventional broiler breeds have been selected for extreme growth rates, reaching market weight in 35-42 days - more than double the weight gain rate of birds in the 1950s.
Fast-growth breeds have a 5-7 times higher rate of leg problems including tibial dyschondroplasia, spondylolisthesis, and infectious arthritis compared to slower-growing breeds.
Cardiac conditions including ascites and sudden death syndrome are significantly more prevalent in fast-growing breeds due to cardiovascular systems unable to keep pace with muscle growth.
Slower-growing broiler breeds used in higher welfare systems show lower mortality rates, fewer leg and cardiovascular problems, and higher activity levels.
The Better Chicken Commitment, signed by over 200 companies globally, includes a commitment to transition to slower-growing breeds by 2026, though implementation varies.

Welfare Considerations

Breed selection is the foundational welfare decision in broiler production - no amount of good housing, enrichment, or management can fully compensate for the inherent health problems associated with extreme growth rate genetics. Slower-growing breeds that take 56-70 days to reach market weight show dramatically better welfare outcomes across all key indicators: activity levels, leg health, cardiovascular health, mortality rates, and behavioral repertoire. The trade-off is higher production cost, which requires either consumer willingness to pay premium prices or retailer commitments to source higher welfare product. The science unambiguously supports breed reform as the highest-impact broiler welfare improvement available.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products labeled as slower-growing breed, free-range, or certified higher welfare.
Check whether your preferred retailers and restaurants have signed the Better Chicken Commitment.
Support campaigns for mandatory breed welfare standards in poultry production legislation.
Reduce chicken consumption and shift toward higher welfare sources when purchasing.