Fast-growing chicken breeds are being phased out in Denmark

Danish consumers are following animal welfare in poultry farming: Meat from slower-growing broilers is in such high demand in the food retail sector there that producers now have to do more. Leading broiler slaughterer Danpo A/S reported to Danish Radio (DR) that in the past they had relied on the fast-growing Ross 308 breed, which takes between 33 and 39 days to reach the desired carcass weight of 2,200 g. In the meantime, however, the largest Danish discounters Aldi and REMA 1000 had stopped selling the "turbo chickens". According to Danpo, since spring 2020 animals of the Ranger Gold breed have been fattened by its suppliers, which on average only go to slaughter after up to 48 days. Consumers have responded very well to the new products, despite the higher prices, said Danpo's director of live production and veterinary affairs, Jacob Roland Pedersen. He is convinced that the time for high-performance breeds in broiler production is coming to an end, at least in Denmark. ...