Poultry Welfare

Slow-Growing Broiler Chicken Breeds

Slow-growing broiler breeds have significantly better welfare outcomes than fast-growing commercial breeds, reducing leg problems, heart disease and painful conditions.

Key Facts

Fast-growing broilers reach slaughter weight in 35 days, causing skeletal deformities in up to 30%
Slow-growing breeds take 56+ days and show dramatically lower rates of lameness
Heart conditions including sudden death syndrome affect 1-4% of fast-growing broilers
The Better Chicken Commitment calls for slower growth and improved housing standards
EU regulations now require mandatory breed welfare assessment for broiler farms

Welfare Considerations

The intensive genetic selection of commercial broiler chickens for rapid growth has created animals whose bodies struggle to support their own weight. Skeletal pain, cardiovascular failure and skin infections are common welfare problems linked directly to fast-growing genetics. Switching to slower-growing breeds is one of the most effective single interventions for improving commercial chicken welfare, though it increases production costs.

What You Can Do

Support retailers and restaurants that have signed the Better Chicken Commitment
Choose chicken labeled as free-range, organic or slow-grown
Reduce chicken consumption or substitute with welfare-certified alternatives
Write to food companies asking them to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment standards