Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Chicken Parent Flock Hunger 2026

Broiler parent birds are chronically feed-restricted to prevent obesity - addressing this major welfare problem requires both management and genetic solutions.

Key Facts

Broiler breeders fed ad libitum become morbidly obese and infertile within weeks
Current restriction levels leave birds hungry for 6-8 hours daily throughout their productive life
Alternative feeding strategies including low-calorie bulky diets reduce hunger without obesity
Genetic selection for more moderate growth rate in breeders could reduce restriction requirements
Over 60 million broiler breeders are farmed globally at any time

Welfare Considerations

Chronic hunger in broiler parent birds is one of the most significant and long-standing welfare problems in poultry farming. The scale of suffering - tens of millions of birds experiencing daily hunger throughout their productive lives - demands systemic solutions.

What You Can Do

Support breeding companies researching genetics that reduce restriction requirements
Advocate for alternative feeding strategies in broiler breeder welfare certification
Engage with food companies about their broiler breeder welfare commitments