At last, there is significant new progress on the welfare of chickens raised for meat. Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.), a U.S.-based organization that develops standards for farmed animal welfare, has decided to phase in slower-growing breeds of chickens.
Most of the chickens used for meat have been selectively bred to grow so rapidly that they commonly suffer from painful and debilitating leg disorders and lameness. Reaching “slaughter weight” in just six weeks, their muscles and bones strain as they rapidly become unnaturally heavy. Known also as “frankenchickens” or “exploding chickens,” these birds, as their bodies grow, begin to break down—they may struggle to walk or even hold themselves up.
This new G.A.P. move is a recognition that the daily experience of these animals matters.
Producers that wish to earn the organization's certification will be required to use only breeds that are not bred to suffer from rapid growth and therefore meet the requirements of its Better Chicken Project protocol. The breed requirements will be introduced gradually, beginning in June 2025.
This development is important because the number of chickens kept and killed globally for food continues to rise. Today, over 92 billion terrestrial animals are kept and killed annually—about 20 billion more than just a decade ago. Of these types of farmed animals, chickens kept for meat, (as opposed to those kept for egg production) known in the industry as “broiler chickens,” are the most numerous land animal species kept and slaughtered. Over 75 billion of these birds are hatched each year worldwide—9.5 billion of those in the U.S. alone—to be killed for meat.
Even as we advocate for a more plant-forward food system in order to reduce that demand, we are also focused on reducing the suffering of animals who are being kept and killed for food right now. Fighting for the welfare of these billions of birds, who are essentially hatched into the world just to suffer throughout their brief lives and then be killed, is an issue many people find overwhelming. The sheer scale of the number of animals killed is astonishing and it can feel that systems all over the world are simply far too entrenched in this status quo to alter even one bit.
But taking on supposedly lost causes or fights considered impossible is exactly what we do here. And we have won such “impossible fights” in the past. Along with Compassion in World Farming and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, we hold a seat on the board of directors for G.A.P. In that role, we aim to represent the needs of the animals, forging a path forward to begin addressing this previously intractable problem.
Whether we are working on legislation, corporate programs or regulations, we have one goal, which is to represent the interests of the animals, even if it takes years for change to come.
Some advocates oppose this work. Their rage at the immensely cruel system of industrial farming is justified, and we agree that the system is not changing fast enough. But their opposition to animal protection groups opting to remain in dialogue and continue to push for stronger standards does not make sense, especially in light of the difficult truth that, despite decades of advocacy, the consumption of animal products has not declined.
Along with increasing plant-based diets, phasing out the most inhumane practices for chickens used for meat is one of the most important farmed animal welfare advancements that can be made. Research shows there are significant differences in the welfare of different breeds of chickens. G.A.P. initiated a research project with the University of Guelph to conduct one of the largest studies of the welfare of chickens farmed for meat ever undertaken, evaluating 16 different breeds. G.A.P. selected breeds with demonstrably better welfare outcomes, such as fewer painful leg problems, to include in its program.
Companies all over the world can work with G.A.P. to meet their Better Chicken Commitments as part of their corporate social responsibility strategies. Some have already started to make similar commitments. In 2021, grocery retailers in the Netherlands made the decision to move to Better Life certified, a certification that indicates slower growth for chickens. In 2022, Jumbo and Albert Heijn reached 100% compliance, with all other retailers following in 2023. Over half of all chicken meat farms in the Netherlands now use slower-growing strains. In the UK, Marks & Spencer transitioned to slower-growing chickens. In Norway, supermarket chain REMA 1000 successfully implemented the requirements of the European Chicken Commitment. As the market begins to shift, a sea change could finally take hold in the U.S., as well. But we need companies in the U.S. to begin implementing their promises to do better.
While we work to decrease the immense cruelty of intensive farming systems, the scale of our plant-based work will spare millions of animals. We continue to change what’s being served on plates across the food service industry. Around the world we successfully engage with institutions, municipalities, schools, companies, restaurants and food service and hospitality industries to transition millions of meals annually to plant-based foods.
Meanwhile, billions of animals remain in industrial animal production, and meaningful certification programs can be an important tool to begin to help improve the lives of those animals. Of course, there's always room for improvement and greater accountability—that is no reason to abandon certifications—instead, it is all the more reason for animal welfare advocates to be involved. Through our influence, these standards continue to improve, and G.A.P. is providing the full standards and requirements of the program online, freely available to the public. This is far more than what some for-profit standards provide.
Without advocates at the table to represent animals, welfare certifications will become empty and meaningless. While we are urgently pushing for a more plant-based future, we cannot abandon the billions of animals suffering in production systems today, right this minute. We cannot and will not ignore suffering when we can act to reduce it.
Follow Kitty Block @HSUSKittyBlock.
