Hi Dylan,
In response to your question, this RSPCA report explores the question of fast-growing breeds of broiler chicken. They highlighted the intense suffering that these birds face and the inefficiencies of this system of farming. It is a 36-page report so here are a few key bits of the text:
An RSPCA commissioned trial revealed that, in general, compared to a commercially viable slower growing breed, these three conventional breeds had significantly higher mortality (including culls), poorer leg, hock and plummage health, and more birds affected by breast muscle disease (wooden breast and white striping)*. Further, they were less active – spending less time walking and standing, and more time feeding and sitting – and spent less time engaged in enrichment type behaviours: foraging, perching and dustbathing.
The genetics of these three conventional breeds fail to adequately safeguard their welfare* to such an extent that many birds of these breeds could be considered as having a life not worth living.
The severity of the welfare problems, the huge number of animals involved globally, and the fact that these welfare concerns have not been adequately addressed to date, means this long-standing issue requires urgent attention.
Moreover, it is apparent that the production of chicken meat using conventional breeds is a wasteful and ethically questionable business (e.g. higher mortality, higher culls, and poorer meat quality), bringing into question the sustainability of this enterprise.
There are commercially-viable breeds available that have improved welfare outcomes and these higher welfare breeds should replace the use of conventional breeds.
The Welfare Footprint Project used the Cumulative Pain Framework to investigate how the adoption of the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) and similar welfare certification programs affect the welfare of broilers. Specifically, they examined concerns that the use of slower-growing breeds may increase suffering by extending the life of chickens for the production of the same amount of meat. From their main findings they stated:
‘Our results strongly support the notion that adoption of BCC standards and slower-growing broiler strains have a net positive effect on the welfare of broiler chickens. Because most welfare offenses endured by broilers are strongly associated with fast growth, adoption of slower-growing breeds not only reduces the incidence of these offenses but also delays their onset. As a consequence, slower-growing birds are expected to experience a shorter, not longer, time in pain before being slaughtered.’
You can also read our own white paper on the welfare of broiler chickens.
I hope that helps answer your question.
We are extremely grateful for your donation Henry, our supporters make this work possible!
In response to your question about room for funding, we’re currently facing a funding gap for this year and donations are vital for allowing us to continue our work on our priorities over the next 3 years. Our key priorities are:
Priority 1) We want to see tangible changes in chicken farming practices, with companies making new commitments, increased transparency, and a shift from standard factory farming of chickens towards the Better Chicken Commitment. We aim to shift even more of the UK market share towards the Better Chicken Commitment standards—from approximately 28% in 2023, to 40% in 2027.
Priority 2) We will make sure that companies who pledged to go cage-free by 2025 are following through on this promise. We aim to ensure that by 2027, 90% of hens are free from cages in the UK, ideally in free-range and organic systems.
Priority 3) Our goal is to ensure the UK and Scottish governments have incorporated stunning for farmed fishes into legislation by 2027; and build towards an impactful corporate meat-reduction campaign by 2030.