COMPASSION IN WORLD FARMING - IRELAND

SUMMARY OF WELFARE PROBLEMS FOR BROILER CHICKENS

CIWF believes that free-range production systems are preferable in animal welfare terms for chickens reared for meat (broilers).

However, we must realistically try to get the best possible standards for birds reared indoors (intensive production). The vast majority of broilers in the EU, including in Ireland, are reared intensively.

At present, there is no EU Directive specifically on the welfare of broiler chickens. The EU is in the process of finalising such a Directive.

WELFARE PROBLEMS

The main welfare issues for intensively reared broilers are:

1. Stocking density.

2. Use of superfast-growing varieties of birds.

These issues are discussed in detail below.

Other welfare issues include:

§ Injuries

Many broilers suffer from painful breast blisters, ulcerated feet and hock burns because, due to leg weakness, they spend long periods squatting on the litter that covers the floor.

§ Catching

Operating at great speed, catchers can carry 4 or 5 birds upside down in each hand, often holding chickens by one leg. This can lead to birds suffering from dislocated hips.

§ Chronic hunger of broiler breeders

Breeding birds have to live long enough to produce offspring. Because they are superfast-growing varieties (which would commonly die before reaching puberty), they are put on a restricted diet to prolong their life. The SCAHAW report* says that “The severe feed restriction … results in unacceptable welfare problems”.

1) STOCKING DENSITY

Intensively reared broilers are commonly kept in very overcrowded conditions.

CIWF understands that broilers in the Republic of Ireland are generally kept at a stocking density of 38 kg/m² (equivalent to 19 birds/m² ). The majority of broilers in the UK are also kept at a stocking density of 38 kg/m² . Based on the science (see findings of the SCAHAW report, below), CIWF considers this stocking density to be too high.

SCAHAW

The SCAHAW report stresses that the stocking density must be 25 kg/m² or lower for major welfare problems to be largely avoided, and that above 30 kg/m² there is a steep rise in the frequency of serious problems, even with very good indoor climate control systems.  

CIWF’s view on stocking density

Based on the findings of the SCAHAW report, CIWF is calling for a maximum stocking density of 25 kg/m² , with permission for farmers who have high welfare standards to stock up to 30 kg/m² .

We note that the European Commission’s proposed draft EU Directive** on broiler chickens sets a maximum stocking density of 38 kg/m², which CIWF believes is too high.

Possible delay in setting a maximum stocking density in the new EU law

The new broilers Directive was discussed at the June meeting of the EU Agriculture Council. There was general support for a proposal that would lay down certain welfare standards for broiler chickens.  However, there is a split on the issue of whether a maximum stocking density should be set straight away or not.  Some Member States (UK, Germany, Sweden and Denmark) want a maximum stocking density laid down in EU law from the outset. Other Member States want this figure to be set at a later date, with information relating to broiler welfare collected in the meantime. 

CIWF’s view on the urgency of setting a maximum stocking density

CIWF believes that the new EU Directive on broilers should include a maximum stocking density figure from the outset. Stocking density level is vital to the well-being of broilers and therefore there should be no delay in including a maximum figure in the new EU legislation.

2) USE OF SUPERFAST-GROWING BREEDS OF BIRDS

Serious welfare problems stem from the broiler industry’s use of selective breeding (and rich diets) to get chickens to reach slaughter weight quickly. Modern broilers reach slaughter weight in about 40 to 42 days, twice as fast as 30 years ago.

The muscle (meat) grows fast. The legs cannot keep pace with this growth. As a result, many broilers suffer from painful, sometimes crippling leg disorders. The SCAHAW stresses that these leg disorders “are a major cause of poor welfare in broilers”.

The birds’ hearts and lungs are also unable to keep pace with the rapid body growth. This results in these young birds being prone to heart failure (ascites and sudden-death-syndrome)

CIWF’s view on growth rate

CIWF wants slower-growing varieties of birds used. We believe that the new Directive should not permit the use of superfast-growing birds.

Notes

* The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare produced a report on the welfare of broilers, adopted in March 2000, entitled: “The Welfare of Chickens Kept for Meat Production (Broilers)”.

Read SCAHAW report on the welfare of meat chickens.

** A draft proposed EU Directive on broilers was published by the European Commission in May 2005. It is entitled: “Proposal for a Council Directive laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production”.

Read Commission's proposed draft Directive for meat chickens.

Mary-Anne Bartlett

Director, Compassion in World Farming - Ireland

25/8/06

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