We can do
better for
chickens
Right now, the Australian chicken industry is failing chickens and consumers.
Together we can change that.
Image: Farm Transparency Project
Join the call for better chicken
Over 700 million meat chickens are raised and slaughtered in Australia every year. But most of these birds lead short, miserable lives.
They deserve better.
Chickens are selectively bred to grow too big and fast for their own bodies to handle. They don’t get enough space, light, or clean air. And they are killed using outdated, inhumane methods.
That’s not good enough. It’s time for Aussie chickens to get a better life.
We’re calling for the industry to make serious changes to the welfare of chickens bred for meat.
Around the world, the Better Chicken Commitment is the new standard for animal welfare. The Better Chicken Commitment calls for:
Higher welfare, slower growing chicken breeds
Comfortable, healthy living conditions, where each chicken has enough space, light and clean air
Slaughter methods that are more humane, with effective stunning and no live shackling
Pledge to support the Better Chicken Commitment so we can show food businesses and the chicken industry that we want them to keep up with progress for animal welfare.
Image: Animal Liberation
What needs to change?
Image: Farm Transparency Project
Image: Farm Transparency Project
The breeds of chickens used for meat in Australia have been genetically selected to grow so fast it hurts.
They struggle to stand and move around under their own body weight. They suffer from lameness, painful skin burns, bone deformities, metabolic diseases and high death rates.
These fast-growing chicken breeds are designed to maximise meat production and profit, at the cost of chicken welfare.
Modern chicken farming involves tens of thousands of birds being packed into sheds at high densities. Chickens can’t act like chickens in these living conditions. They may never experience natural light or clean air, or have enough room to scratch around or dust bathe, or perch.
Without enough space, they can struggle to move around freely. When these chickens are fast-growing breeds, you have a perfect environment for creating sick, stressed, suffering birds.
Image: We Animals Media
Australian chickens routinely experience fear, pain and suffering during slaughter due to the use of outdated, inhumane methods.
Many slaughterhouses still use shackling and electrical stunning, where chickens are hung upside down by their legs and dipped into an electrified water bath before slaughter.
This is stressful, painful and unreliable, leaving some chickens fully conscious when their throats are slit.
The Better Chicken Commitment calls for:
Healthier, slower growing chicken breeds that promote good welfare.
Image: RSPCA UK
Comfortable, healthy living conditions, where each chicken has enough space, light, and clean air.
Image: RSPCA UK
Slaughter methods that are more humane, with effective stunning and no live shackling.
Image: Farm Transparency Project
How we create change
1) Raising consumer awareness
Most Australians don’t see where their chicken meat comes from - and that there are better options.
Together we’re sharing the story of the Better Chicken Commitment.
2) Securing company commitments
Food businesses will listen if their customers demand change. So let’s show them that Australians will support businesses who take leadership on animal welfare.
3) Changing industry standards
Just as with cage free eggs, the Better Chicken Commitment can become the new, higher standard for Australian meat chickens.
Join us to help make history!
