Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Parent Flock Feed Restriction and Welfare

Broiler breeder parent flocks experience chronic hunger under commercial feed restriction programmes, a major welfare concern.

Key Facts

Broiler breeders are restricted to 25-30% of ad libitum feed intake to control weight
Unrestricted feeding leads to cardiovascular disease, leg problems and early death in these birds
Restricted birds show persistent hunger behaviours including stereotypic feeding and aggression
Alternative feeding strategies using high-fibre diets allow greater intake with less weight gain
Welfare regulations in several countries now mandate consideration of satiety in parent flocks

Welfare Considerations

Chronic hunger is one of the most significant welfare problems in poultry production. Broiler breeders experience persistent feeding motivation that cannot be satisfied, leading to heightened aggression, stereotypic behaviour and frustration. Developing breeds or feeding systems that allow adequate satiety without compromising production is a key industry challenge.

What You Can Do

Support welfare certification schemes that address parent flock hunger
Ask egg and poultry producers about their parent flock management standards
Advocate for regulatory standards mandating minimum satiety assessment in parent flocks
Support research into alternative feeding strategies for broiler breeders