Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Chicken Welfare and Consumer Choice

Consumer purchasing decisions for chicken products directly influence the welfare standards of the billions of birds in the supply chain.

Key Facts

Chicken is the most consumed meat in many countries, meaning small shifts in purchasing have large scale impact
Higher welfare labels including RSPCA Assured and Organic require significantly better standards
Price premium for higher welfare chicken is typically modest in absolute terms
Reducing total chicken consumption while shifting to higher welfare options has dual impact
Corporate procurement decisions by food companies move the market more than individual consumer choices alone

Welfare Considerations

Chicken consumption choices are among the highest-leverage welfare decisions consumers make, given the scale of chicken farming and the meaningful differences between certified welfare tiers. Every higher welfare purchase shifts demand signals toward better production.

What You Can Do

When buying chicken, prioritize RSPCA Assured, free-range, or organic certification
Reduce total chicken consumption and make higher welfare choices when you do buy
Advocate to food companies and restaurants to switch to higher welfare chicken sources