Molly Archer-Zeff

Major Gifts Fundraiser @ The Humane League UK
249 karmaJoined

Comments
5

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 will certainly do an update when we have information about the verdict. We may not hear any new information for a few weeks but as soon as we have news, we will update you all! 

Thanks for the question! 

The chicken handling (carrying chickens by their legs) was investigated by the Animal Welfare Committee, which is an independent body that advises the Government irrespective of if it is a Labour Government or a Conservative Government). Essentially as it stands, it is illegal to carry chickens by their legs but it is permitted in the codes of practice (and is a carrying method we believe is widely used). The AWC recommended that the law be changed to allow carrying chickens by the legs. This recommendation came out under the previous Government, but they didn't make a policy decision on this before the election. Now that we have a new Government, a policy decision has been made. 

Of course! Sharing content about our legal challenge on your social media pages will help spread awareness within your network. You can also help by donating to THL UK. 

You're certainly right that imports are a problem. As they are the most widely used breed globally, the vast majority of imported chicken meat to the UK will be from Frankenchickens. So there are unfortunately no regulations about importing Frankenchickens currently.