Farm Animals

Broiler Parent Flock Hunger and Welfare

Parent birds of fast-growing broiler breeds are chronically hungry due to feed restriction needed to prevent obesity and health failure.

Key Facts

Broiler breeders are feed-restricted to 60-80% of ad libitum intake
Unrestricted parents develop cardiovascular disease and reproductive failure
Chronic hunger is considered one of the most severe welfare compromises in poultry
Alternative slower-growing breeds require less severe restriction

Welfare Considerations

Feed restriction causes persistent hunger - a deeply negative welfare state. Parents show highly motivated food-seeking behaviour indicating genuine suffering. Moving to slower-growing breeds would substantially reduce this welfare problem.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from slower-growing breed programmes
Support campaigns for broiler parent flock welfare reform
Ask retailers about their policies on parent flock welfare standards