Farmed Animals

Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds and Welfare Benefits

Transitioning broiler chicken production to slower-growing breeds that take 56 or more days to reach slaughter weight significantly improves welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Standard commercial broilers reach slaughter weight in 35-42 days through extreme genetic selection
Slower-growing breeds take 56+ days and have significantly lower rates of leg disorders and heart failure
Major food companies including Whole Foods, Marks and Spencer, and others have committed to higher-welfare breed standards
Slower-growing breeds have lower mortality rates and better overall health throughout their lives
The Better Chicken Commitment sets a 56-day minimum alongside other welfare requirements

Welfare Considerations

Conventional fast-growing broiler breeds are selected to the point where their genetics actively compromise their welfare. Leg weakness, ascites, and cardiovascular failure are common consequences of extreme growth rates. Slower-growing breeds fundamentally improve welfare by eliminating the genetic source of these problems. Corporate commitments to Better Chicken standards represent one of the largest potential welfare improvements in the food system.

What You Can Do

Support food companies that have made and implemented Better Chicken Commitment pledges
Advocate for others in the supply chain to adopt slower-growing breed standards
Reduce chicken consumption to lower demand for intensive broiler production
Choose chicken labeled as meeting higher welfare breed standards where available
Learn about the Better Chicken Commitment and which companies have and have not signed on