Chickens raised for meat (broiler chickens) are the most farmed land animals in the world. In the UK alone, over one billion chickens are reared each year, with 90% being fast-growing breeds.
These chickens are bred to grow unnaturally large at an alarming rate - four times faster than 50 years ago. A chick that weighs 40g when it hatches is capable of growing to 4,000g in eight weeks. If humans grew at a similar rate, doubling and redoubling body mass almost seven times in eight weeks, a 3kg newborn baby would weigh 300kg after two months!
Health and welfare implications
This kind of growth causes serious and painful health problems for the chickens. Fast-growing chickens are trapped in oversized bodies, leading to lameness and an inability to support their own weight, which forces them to spend much of their time sitting in their own waste. They suffer from a range of health issues, including heart defects, organ failure, breathing difficulties, muscle disease, foot lesions and weakened immune systems. Their bodies struggle to cope, making it difficult for them to engage in natural behaviours like perching, pecking, foraging and playing.
How you can make a difference for chickens!
Chickens are sentient beings, and they deserve better. That’s why we joined forces with other European NGOs to push the food industry to adopt the Better Chicken Commitment. This science-based initiative promotes healthier, slower-growing chicken breeds, providing them with more space, natural light and enrichment, as well as more humane slaughter methods.
The good news is that over 125 food companies in the UK, including M&S and Waitrose, have already signed up to the Better Chicken Commitment. However, many of the UK’s top supermarkets – who hold significant power over the country’s chicken industry and animal welfare standards – have yet to make this pledge. While M&S now offers 100% Better Chicken Commitment-compliant fresh chicken, and Waitrose is on track to meet its commitment, other major supermarkets have not yet taken this crucial step.
This is where you can help!
Lower welfare chicken should not be an option on supermarket shelves.
Please send an automated email to ALDI, Asda, Co-op, Iceland, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco asking them to adopt these higher welfare standards and move to slower-growing breeds for ALL their chickens.
Five more ways you can help IMPROVE CHICKEN WELFARE TODAY!
As a consumer, you have power. You can also help elevate chicken welfare with every choice you make:
- If you are buying chicken, always opt for higher welfare with Soil Association Organic, RSPCA Assured or Red Tractor Enhanced Welfare (not standard Red Tractor) as a minimum. Use our Chick-O-Meter to understand what the labels mean for the chickens.
- Learn more about the supermarkets' welfare policies for chickens reared for meat.
- If you eat chicken, try using different cuts or reducing your portion size.
- Introduce more plant-based foods into your diet - this will help to reduce the demand for chicken which fuels the most intensive, low-welfare farming systems.
- Show your support for companies who are working to make a difference. Find out which well-known brands have committed to raising the bar for chicken welfare in the UK.
Your support today will make a difference tomorrow. Together, let's make a positive impact on chicken welfare!
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CHICKENS and find out why it's so important that we give them happier, healthier lives.
Share and spread the word
You have the power as a consumer to demand change. The UK supermarkets in particular are hugely influential, and we need them to drive the movement for higher chicken welfare.
Please help us to spread the word and call on them to do the right thing by signing up to the Better Chicken Commitment - only M&S and Waitrose have made the pledge so far.
You can use these share buttons to get the word out!
Tweet
WhatsApp
SUPPORT COMPANIES on their higher welfare journey!
Please support those companies that are working to create a better tomorrow for the chickens in their care – and encourage others to join the cause.
Your choices will help shape a more compassionate future for all!
Selection of high-street brands that have made the Better Chicken Commitment
Restaurants / eateries
ASK Italian
Belgo Bar & Restaurant
Bella Italia
Bill’s Restaurant and Bar
Burger King
Café Rouge
Carluccio’s
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Cote Brasserie
Frankie & Benny’s
Itsu
KFC
La Tasca
Las Iguanas
Le Pain Quotidien
Leon
Louvre Hotels
Nando’s
Papa John’s
Pizza Express
Pizza Hut
Popeyes
Pret A Manger
Prezzo
Starbucks
Strada
Subway
Taco Bell
TGI Fridays
Vapiano
Wagamama
Wahaca
Wimpy
Yo! Sushi
Zizzi
Manufacturers
Danone
Dr Oetker
Kraft Heinz
McCain
Nestle
Unilever
Retailers and Meal Kits
Gousto
Greggs plc
Le Pain Quotidien
IKEA
Marks & Spencer
Waitrose
