RSPCA welfare standards for chickens
We strongly encourage all chicken producers to adopt the RSPCA welfare standards for chickens, as used by the Freedom Food scheme, which we’ve developed to ensure that higher standards of animal welfare are met at all stages of the chicken's life - from hatching to slaughter. The standards address all of the key areas affecting chicken welfare. For example, they ensure that there is sufficient space and facilities for chickens to perform active behaviours, and require the use of slower growing breeds to help prevent the welfare problems that can result from fast growth, such as lameness. 

Using science and practical experience to show the benefits of higher welfare

Our Everyone's a winner report (PDF 0.6MB) demonstrates how rearing chickens to higher welfare standards can benefit not only chickens, but also producers, retailers and consumers.

Lobbying for better laws to protect chickens
We were heavily involved in lobbying the government and farming industry to ensure the introduction of EU laws to improve meat chicken welfare. We are now working with the government on the implementation of the European Directive.

Meetings with retailers
We take every opportunity to raise our concerns about meat chicken welfare with food retailers, and suggest how improvements can be made. Discussions with retailers on their chicken meat sourcing policies have resulted in significant progress in both the UK and overseas, with many now setting improved welfare requirements for the farms that supply them.

As a consumer, you have a great deal of power to help improve chicken welfare. Please find out more about how you can help.