Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Chicken Leg Health and Mobility

Leg health problems are among the most significant welfare concerns in modern broiler production, affecting millions of birds.

Key Facts

Fast-growing broiler breeds commonly experience gait disorders and lameness
Studies show 25-30% of commercial broilers have impaired walking ability
Leg disorders cause chronic pain and restrict access to food and water
Slower-growing breeds show dramatically better leg health outcomes
Genetic selection for growth rate has compromised skeletal development

Welfare Considerations

Impaired mobility in broilers causes suffering at scale. Birds with gait scores of 3 or higher experience chronic pain and reduced quality of life. Breed reform is the most impactful single change available to the industry.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken from slower-growing breed programmes when available
Support retailers and brands committed to broiler breed welfare standards
Ask about gait scoring data and breed welfare commitments from producers