Broiler welfare: 3 slow-growth claims examined

As proponents of new broiler welfare programs continue to push for changes in broiler production techniques and smaller, slower-growing breeds, cases are being made that birds in modern production are not as healthy or mobile as they should be.Broiler health and mortality rates: The thought that modern breeds of broilers are not as healthy and experience higher-than necessary mortality rates is not necessarily accurate, Jones said. In fact, he said that livability in modern breeds is at an all-time high.Mobility: Critics of modern poultry production say that broilers aren’t given adequate room to move or they are so large and lethargic they cannot move. While younger birds choose to expend their energy more and are naturally more mobile, older birds typically do not move as much and are “efficient,” he said.Leg health: When people question the leg health of modern broilers, they often overlook several things, said Jones. Genetic selection in modern broilers is constantly improving all aspects of flock health, which he said includes leg health.