by Jenna Bensko

This past Monday was National Chicken Wing Day, celebrated annually on July 29th. Through this occasion, Americans indulge in one of their favorite dishes: chicken wings. On a day marked by a popular cultural cuisine, there is also an opportunity to reflect on the impact of our consumption—approximately 9.5 billion chickens are raised for meat in the U.S. each year.

National Chicken Wing Day’s popularity proves our nation’s love for chicken, but it also highlights an often-overlooked aspect of our food system: the conditions under which these chickens are raised. Many consumers are unaware of the intensive farming practices that can compromise the welfare of these animals but with more knowledge on these issues, consumers can heighten their awareness.

Understanding Chicken Welfare Issues

To grasp how chicken welfare can be improved, it's essential first to understand the current state of industrial chicken farming. The majority of chickens raised for meat, also referred to as broiler chickens, in the United States are housed in large-scale, intensive farming operations where their living conditions are far from ideal.

The health problems faced by chickens in these operations are numerous. Overcrowding is a significant issue, with high stocking densities leading to limited space for each bird. These chickens often lack access to natural light and are confined to environments with inadequate ventilation and dirty litter. Respiratory issues are common due to poor air quality, and footpad lesions are caused by prolonged contact with dirty litter. Further, the rapid growth rates of these birds can lead to heart attacks and musculoskeletal deformities. Many of these birds cannot even stand at six weeks of age.

The physical and psychological impacts of these conditions on chickens are profound. Physically, many chickens endure chronic pain, respiratory distress, and mobility issues.

Psychologically, the inability to perform natural behaviors, such as perching and dust bathing, leads to frustration and stress, significantly reducing their quality of life.

At the end of their lives, many chickens are subjected to stressful and inhumane slaughter methods, such as electrical bath stunning, which can cause considerable distress and suffering.

Despite these widespread welfare issues, there remains a substantial gap in consumer awareness. Many people are unaware of the realities of industrial chicken farming and the significant welfare concerns associated with it. Raising awareness about these issues is a crucial step towards improving the lives of chickens and encouraging more humane farming practices.

Standards to Improve Chicken Welfare

Improving chicken welfare begins with providing better living conditions. This encompasses several key factors that can drastically enhance the well-being of chickens.

One of the most critical aspects is space, and providing more space per bird, known as reducing stocking density, is essential. When chickens have adequate room to move, it reduces stress, decreases the likelihood of disease transmission, and allows them to engage in natural behaviors.

The introduction of environmental enrichments is another crucial step towards better welfare. Bringing objects that can be perched on into chicken housing can significantly improve their quality of life. These enrichments encourage chickens to exercise, explore, and perform behaviors that are vital to their physical and mental health and can be as simple as a hay bale.

Exposure to light and darkness is yet another critical standard for higher welfare chicken. We suggest that chickens have a minimum of 8 hours of ≥50 lux light exposure and 6 hours of darkness (<1 lux).

Maintaining clean, dry litter is important for preventing leg, foot, and breast lesions and other health issues. Regularly replenishing litter and ensuring it remains sanitary can significantly improve the conditions in which chickens live.

Breeding practices play a pivotal role in chicken welfare. Prioritizing breeding for health and welfare, rather than just productivity, is crucial. Slower-growing breeds are often healthier and can live more comfortable lives, as they are less prone to the severe health problems associated with rapid growth.

Humane slaughter practices are equally important in ensuring the welfare of chickens throughout their entire lifecycle. Methods such as Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (CAS) are more humane than traditional methods like electrical bath stunning, as they minimize stress and suffering at the time of slaughter.

The Role of Certifications and Standards

Certifications and standards play a crucial role in advancing chicken welfare by providing clear, enforceable guidelines for producers. Several existing welfare certifications set benchmarks for humane practices. Notable among these are the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) and Animal Welfare Approved (AWA). This certification assesses and recognizes farms that meet rigorous welfare criteria, ensuring that chickens are raised in conditions that prioritize their well-being.

The Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) is considered the gold standard for improving chicken welfare. The BCC outlines specific requirements for better living conditions, such as lower stocking densities, environmental enrichment, and the use of higher welfare breeds. By adhering to these standards, producers can significantly enhance the quality of life for their chickens. Compassion in World Farming tracks companies annually on the BCC through our 'ChickenTrack' report.

These certifications and standards contribute to better welfare through a couple of mechanisms. Firstly, they provide clear guidelines for humane practices that farmers must follow. Secondly, they involve third-party auditing to ensure compliance, offering transparency and accountability. This independent verification is essential for maintaining the integrity of the certifications and ensuring that welfare improvements are genuinely implemented.

Consumers play a vital role in supporting and encouraging the adoption of these standards. By choosing products that carry reputable welfare certifications, consumers can drive demand for higher welfare practices. Use our ‘Learn the Labels’ guide so that you can feel confident in choosing the right products.

Take Action

By choosing welfare-certified products, supporting BCC-compliant producers, and advocating for higher chicken welfare standards, you can make a significant impact. Get involved by supporting welfare organizations, engaging with brands and retailers through consumer emails, and considering reducing your overall chicken consumption or exploring plant-based alternatives.

Improving chicken welfare is a tangible change that each of us can contribute to. Every action you take, whether it's making informed purchasing decisions or advocating for better practices, helps create a more humane and sustainable food system. Your choices matter, and together, we can make a difference for millions of chickens.

Jenna is a Food Business Manager with the Compassion in World Farming U.S. team. She has an M.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Colorado State University and a BSc in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University. During her graduate program, Jenna studied the social and environmental impacts of restaurant menus and the sustainability of restaurant Corporate Social Responsibility reports. She is particularly interested in improving the sustainability and equitability of food systems through system level changes.