Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Parent Flock Hunger Management

Parent flocks of broiler chickens are feed-restricted to control weight gain and reproduction, causing chronic hunger that is one of the most significant welfare issues in poultry production.

Key Facts

Broiler parents fed to appetite develop obesity causing skeletal and cardiovascular problems
Feed restriction to 70% of appetite results in chronic hunger and frustrated foraging behaviour
Stereotypic pecking, increased aggression, and abnormal foraging are indicators of hunger stress
Ad libitum feeding of lower-energy, higher-fibre diets can partially resolve the welfare trade-off
The welfare trade-off between obesity and hunger has no perfect solution with current genetics

Welfare Considerations

Broiler parent flocks face a genuine welfare dilemma where unrestricted feeding causes obesity-related suffering, while restricted feeding causes chronic hunger. This fundamental welfare problem requires genetic solutions that reduce growth rate in parent stocks.

What You Can Do

Support research into broiler parent genetics that eliminates the hunger-obesity trade-off
Advocate for breed standards that make feed restriction unnecessary through lower growth potential
Choose chicken products from producers using breeds with better welfare profiles for parents