Poultry: slow growth creates healthier and happier birds

A slower-growing chicken is healthier and happier, according to the results of an independent agricultural trial involving the University of Bristol Veterinary School in the United Kingdom. The study points out that the choice of slower-growing chicken breeds possibly has more impact on animal health than the production of less density or more space. The study, carried out by researchers from FAI Farms, the University of Bristol and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, is the first to highlight the differences in well-being between fast-growing and slow-growing birds in a commercial environment, through a set of positive and negative well-being indicators. “Our study found that slow-growing birds are in better health and have more positive behaviors than conventional fast-growing chickens. A change in fast-growing breeds would provide the most significant improvement in the lives of the 142 million chickens produced in Europe every week, ”explained Annie Rayner, principal ...