RESEARCHERS have developed a new revolutionary method towards enhancing chicken welfare that may change the industry’s overall approach to chickens. They found the cost to avoid even one hour of very severe pain is under 0.01 cents. Under the guidance of Dr. Cynthia Schuck-Paim, the Scientific Director of the Welfare Footprint Institute, this was a landmark study. This research provides important information to help make animal welfare practices more impactful. An estimated 70 billion meat chickens are raised worldwide each year. This research has the potential for a tremendous economic benefit to the poultry industry.
The bad news is the study uncovers a potent countervailing force. By replacing today’s fast-growing chicken breeds with slower-growing varieties, we can avoid more than 15-100 hours of severe pain per bird. This change will increase the price of meat by a mere US $1/kg. The animal welfare benefits would far outweigh any cost considerations.
The Welfare Footprint Framework
This framework was developed by the Welfare Footprint Institute. It takes measurable, scientific criteria to ensure animal welfare is not only assessed, but prioritized alongside other food system priorities.
Understanding the Impact of Rapid Growth Rates
High growth rates in chickens have been shown to cause acute disease and injury. These range from extreme lameness and cardiovascular issues to heat stress and long-term subacute hunger. These issues are a result of the unintended consequences of genetic selection for rapid growth on the welfare of the birds.
To achieve feed conversion ratios comparable to other livestock, fast-growing chickens are made to endure extreme feed deprivation. As a direct consequence, they suffer lifelong hunger, resulting in thousands of hours of debilitating trauma. This distress manifests as physical pain and psychosocial distress. That’s precisely why it raises important ethical questions about our current poultry farming practices.
Dr. Schuck-Paim and her team’s research raises a cause for concern — and one that is urgent. The poultry industry needs to critically and urgently re-evaluate its breeding practices. By transitioning to slower-growing chicken breeds, farmers can make meaningful improvements in animal welfare and continue efficient meat production that consumers want and need.
The Economic Perspective on Welfare Improvements
Switching to slower-growing chicken breeds will increase production costs only marginally. You should just go ahead and multiply by 1 USD/kg for each kg of meat produced. Over time, future savings in veterinary care can offset expenses significantly. Moreover, companies can avoid significant losses from bad animal welfare, so getting ahead of the problem is a prudent investment.
Consumers are increasingly sensitive to animal welfare concerns. In fact, the majority of Americans are willing to pay more for meat products that come from farms that treat animals humanely. The more consumers know about the issues, the more producers that adopt higher welfare practices will benefit from a clear advantage over their competitors in the marketplace.
Through the Welfare Footprint Framework, producers are given the tools to work toward economic viability. In doing so, it better equips them to meet their ethical obligations for animal welfare. By adopting this framework across their supply chains, producers can more clearly communicate their dedication to responsible, humane farming practices.
The Future of Poultry Welfare
This research goes beyond simply providing relief from pain. This document is more than groundbreaking. It is a powerful public call to action on behalf of the poultry production industry. Meat chickens are the most numerous land vertebrates on the planet. In return, we need to protect their well-being in the practice of agriculture.
By replacing fast-growing breeds with more naturally slow-growing alternatives, farmers can alleviate the immense suffering caused by unnatural growth rates and build healthier flocks. Such a change would result in healthier meat products and a more sustainable poultry sector.