Farmed Chicken Bone Health Welfare

Bone health problems in commercial broiler chickens are a major welfare issue linked to rapid growth selection.

Key Facts

Skeletal disease including tibial dyschondroplasia and valgus-varus deformity affects a significant proportion of fast-growing broiler flocks
Lameness from skeletal problems causes chronic pain and limits access to food and water
Welfare audit scoring of gait shows widespread lameness in fast-growing breeds
Slower-growing breeds and reduced stocking densities show significantly improved skeletal health
Lighting programmes that allow rest periods reduce the continuous growth pressure that exacerbates skeletal problems
Nutritional factors including vitamin D and phosphorus management influence bone development

Welfare Considerations

Bone health problems in fast-growing broiler chickens represent one of the most significant and widespread welfare problems in UK food production. Millions of chickens experience chronic pain from skeletal problems each year. Transitioning to slower-growing breeds is the most effective single welfare intervention to address this problem.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products from slower-growing breeds certified under RSPCA Assured or similar schemes
Support campaigns for mandatory transition to slower-growing breeds in UK chicken production
Ask retailers about the breed and bone health welfare records of chicken they stock
Advocate for breed performance targets in welfare assurance schemes covering skeletal health
Reduce chicken consumption overall and choose higher-welfare products with the remainder