What is better chicken?

The Problem

Chickens raised for meat are the most farmed land animal in the world. Over 6 billion are reared in Europe every year, with over 70% crammed into barren sheds on factory farms – often with no natural light, a lack of stimulating materials and only litter on the floor.

Factory-farmed chickens are bred to grow unnaturally fast and are sent to slaughter as early as 33 days old, so they don’t even reach adulthood in their lifetime.

Trapped in unhealthy, oversized, painful bodies, many chickens live much of their very short lives unable to move, exhausted, and often become lame. Some suffer with serious heart conditions or collapse under their own weight.

Chickens can feel emotions just like us, such as pain and fear, and they suffer in these harsh conditions. Is this fair?

The Solution

There is a more humane and sustainable way to rear chickens, which is why Compassion in World Farming wants all chickens to lead better lives – reared in higher welfare systems.

Chickens are healthier, happier and more active when they are bred to grow more slowly and have the space and stimulation they need to behave like, well, chickens. Slower-growing chickens can walk more easily, have stronger hearts and better resistance to disease.

Chickens from slower-growing breeds are more likely to be active. When they are also given more space to live and things to investigate, they can do what comes naturally: pecking, scratching, wing flapping and perching. The birds have the opportunity to experience some of the joys of life.

In the best systems chickens have separate places to rest, feed, drink and play – and can go outside for fresh air and sunlight.

The Problem

Standard, low-welfare chicken production, with its oversized animals and poor living conditions, not only creates health hazards for the chickens, but for us too.

The speed of the chickens' growth and their high body weight can cause their muscles to degenerate which leads to lower quality, less nutritious meat.

Antibiotics are routinely given to the chickens to help them survive in these poor welfare systems (when they should only be given to sick animals). Routine use of antibiotics increases the risk of antibiotic- resistant bacteria which is an increasing threat for humans.

The conditions the chickens live in, and their compromised immune systems, allow dangerous bacteria to flourish – leading to increased risk of food poisoning.

The Solution

Slower-growing chickens reared in higher welfare systems have been shown to have stronger immune systems. This dramatically reduces the need for antibiotics and fewer of them are infected with harmful bacteria.

Higher welfare production also addresses the muscle degeneration seen in fast-growing birds, improving the quality and nutritional value of the meat. Meat from slower-growing chickens contains less fat, higher proportions of omega-3 fatty acids and more Vitamin E and iron.  

The Problem

The biggest cause of animal suffering on the planet is factory farming. It’s also helping to drive the worst climate, nature and health catastrophes humanity has ever faced. 

More than two-thirds of the 80 billion animals farmed for food every year are caged, crammed and confined in ways that cause immense suffering. It is also increasing greenhouse gas emissions and destroying wildlife habitats.

The Solution

We all need to adopt diets that rely less on industrial farming - supporting fairer, healthier, more planet-friendly food.

By eating fewer animal products (and choosing higher welfare options), wasting less, and by introducing more fruits, vegetables and pulses into our diet, we can help take the pressure off the invaluable resources of our planet – and save some money too!

Making small changes to our diets each day can make a huge difference in supporting a better food system now - and for future generations to come.