Farm Animals

Broiler Breed Selection for Welfare Improvement

Selecting slower-growing broiler breeds is one of the most impactful welfare interventions available to producers and retailers.

Key Facts

Conventional fast-growing broilers reach slaughter weight in 35-42 days
Fast-growing breeds have high rates of leg disorders, cardiovascular disease and contact dermatitis
Slower-growing breeds (including Hubbard and Rambler Ranger) live 50-70 days with better health outcomes
The Better Chicken Commitment requires use of slower-growing breeds from compliant producers
Major retailers including M&S and Waitrose source broilers meeting higher welfare breed criteria

Welfare Considerations

Genetic selection for rapid growth has created a biological trade-off in which broilers suffer poor leg health, pain and premature mortality at high rates. Shifting to slower-growing breeds eliminates many of these welfare problems at source. Breed reform is more fundamental than environmental improvements alone.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken products labelled as RSPCA Assured, Organic or Higher Welfare
Ask retailers if they have signed the Better Chicken Commitment
Reduce chicken consumption and prioritise welfare-labelled products when buying
Support Compassion in World Farming's Good Chicken Award programme