Farm Animal Welfare

Poultry Parent Flock Hunger Welfare

Broiler parent (grandparent) flocks experience significant welfare harm from feed restriction used to control weight in breeding birds.

Key Facts

Broiler parents are genetically selected for fast growth incompatible with ad libitum feeding
Feed restriction to 25-40% below appetite satisfaction is standard to prevent cardiovascular disease
Chronically hungry broiler parent flocks show high levels of foraging frustration and stereotypy
Spiking and skip-a-day feeding programmes vary in their welfare impact
Slower-growing parent lines require less severe restriction but are not commercially widespread

Welfare Considerations

Broiler parent hunger is one of the most ethically challenging welfare issues in animal agriculture. These birds experience chronic hunger throughout their productive lives as an unavoidable consequence of genetic selection for growth rate. Breed reform is the only fundamental solution.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for slower-growing breed adoption that reduces parent flock feed restriction severity
Advocate for research into parent line genetics reducing the trade-off between growth and welfare
Ask poultry producers and retailers about their approach to broiler parent flock welfare