Better chicken

All chickens deserve better. Over one billion chickens were estimated to be farmed in the UK this year. Over 90% of farmed chickens are bred to grow much faster than traditional breeds, often reaching market size in just weeks. Unfortunately, this rapid growth causes serious health issues like weak bones and heart problems. Help us urge supermarkets and the food service industry to commit to higher welfare standards by supporting slower-growing breeds.

We demand change

We want all UK retailers and the food service industry to deliver on the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) and deliver on their commitment.

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The Better Chicken Commitment

The Better Chicken Commitment is a set of standards that drives the food industry towards higher welfare practices for broiler chickens. A number of animal protection organisations have agreed on the most pressing welfare concerns for broiler chickens.

The BCC outlines six key requirements to improve welfare standards for farmed chickens. There are over one billion chickens slaughtered for meat in the UK each year alone, many of which will endure significant suffering because basic welfare needs aren’t being addressed. This needs to change.

Reaching higher welfare practices

The Better Chicken Commitment stipulates key requirements which promote better welfare practices, such as:

Indoor reared birds, without outdoor access, need to be given more room in order to have the chance to peck, scratch, dust, bathe and rest without being disturbed.
Indoor reared birds must have natural light provided, which means they won't spend their whole lives in dark, artificially lit conditions.
Chickens should have enrichment items – things that they can explore and peck at, as well as perches, so that they can roost.
The use of cages or multi-tier systems must be banned.
There should be more humane methods of slaughter than live shackling and water bath stunning.
The use of slower growing breeds.

Consumers demand improved animal welfare and food quality standards

Consumers are increasingly concerned about where their food comes from and how it was produced. Retailers and the food service industry can show their customers that they're meeting rising expectations for animal welfare, sustainability, and food quality.

Find out more about The Better Chicken Commitment.

What we're doing to help

We're calling on supermarkets and the food service industry to sign up for The Better Chicken Commitment, and commit to raising welfare standards across their whole supply chain of chicken.

Along with RSPCA Assured, we continue to engage with retailers and the food service industry by providing retailers with scientific, technical assistance, advice and guidance to help meet the commitment.

87% of people who buy chicken meat expect supermarkets to ensure all chicken meat they sell is farmed to higher welfare standards.

*Opinion Poll carried out by Savata May 2023 from 2,089 UK respondents

UK retailers need to commit to higher welfare

All major UK retailers, quick food service companies and chain restaurants sell chicken meat from intensive systems. M&S and Waitrose and Partners have both committed to meet the BCC’s better welfare requirements.

Marks and Spencer is the first UK retailer to commit to switching all of its chicken meat to higher welfare. This policy will improve the lives of 57 million chickens each year.

Although most retailers have adopted many of the BCC’s recommendations, one crucial point remains unchanged: that is the breed of chicken.

Why is changing the breed of chicken so important?

There are three breeds that account for the majority of chicken meat produced globally. An RSPCA commissioned trial revealed that, compared to a commercially viable, slower-growing breed, these three conventional breeds had significantly higher mortality and poorer health. Many of the birds were also affected by breast muscle diseases such as ‘wooden breast’ and ‘white striping’. They were less active – spending less time walking and standing, and more time feeding and sitting – and growing at a rate that was unnaturally fast.

There are slower-growing chicken breeds with fewer health issues and better welfare, which should replace conventional breeds. So, why are retailers failing to commit?

We must keep pushing against the reluctance of retailers and the food service industry to change – there is a better way for chickens.

Read the report here

Ask your supermarket to commit to the BCC and slower-growing breeds

We need your support in raising awareness and showing you want to see higher welfare chicken in the supermarkets and food service industry today. Use this form, which sends an email directly to major retailers.