Slower-growing chickens enjoy better well-being

A new independent study shows that slower-growing broiler chickens are healthier and have a better quality of life than breeds that grow more quickly to meet the demands of the consumer industry.   The majority of broiler chickens raised for the food industry are so-called “conventional” fast-growing breeds. It is understandable that the industry needs animals that reach maturity and gain weight more quickly. However, recent research shows that this negatively impacts their animal welfare. This new study is the first to highlight the differences in well-being between fast- and slow-growing broiler chickens in a commercial setting, using a comprehensive set of positive and negative well-being indicators. It shows that providing more space for the animals by reducing stocking density is beneficial for animal welfare, but that opting for breeds with a slightly slower growth rate is even better. In fact, slower-growing chickens exhibit a wider range of positive “play” and “exploration” behaviors than their fast-growing counterparts, regardless of stocking density.

These behaviors result in better health and more positive experiences, which improve the animals’ well-being and quality of life.

Professor Ruth Newberry and Dr. Judit Vas of the Faculty of Biosciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences emphasize the importance of including indicators of positive experiences in animal welfare studies. Until recently, play was almost never mentioned in studies on chickens. This independent, commercial-scale study provides strong evidence of the health and welfare benefits of using slower-growing chicken breeds in the agri-food industry. This would be the most significant improvement for the birds in the sector. The authors hope that these findings will drive changes in supply chains and prompt the industry to move away from fast-growing breeds in favor of the welfare of the 142 million chickens produced in Europe each week.