Farm Animals

Poultry Welfare 2026 Final Annual Report

A review of poultry welfare in 2026, examining cage-free transition progress, broiler leg health, pre-slaughter welfare, and the impacts of avian influenza on production systems.

Key Facts

Global cage-free transition exceeded 50% in some markets but progress was uneven
Avian influenza outbreaks continued to cause mass culling and trade disruptions
Broiler leg health remained a welfare priority with breed reform commitments lagging
Controlled atmosphere stunning adoption increased for turkey slaughter
Consumer research showed continued demand for higher welfare eggs and poultry

Welfare Considerations

Poultry welfare in 2026 faces the dual challenge of welfare reform in production systems and the welfare crisis of HPAI management requiring mass culling. Cage-free transition represents genuine welfare progress but welfare in cage-free systems is not automatically high without proper management.

What You Can Do

Choose higher welfare poultry products including free-range and RSPCA Assured
Support organisations advocating for broiler breed welfare reform
Advocate for more humane HPAI culling methods and prevention investment