The National Chicken Council (NCC) of the United States has updated its Guidelines for Broiler Welfare, a document that has been adopted by the poultry farming and processing industry since 1999. Reviewed annually, the guidelines cover every stage of a chicken's life and provide the latest recommendations for humane treatment and care. The updated guidelines have been certified by PAACO, a leading animal welfare auditing organization. "This certification ensures that consumers and clients can be confident that chickens were well-cared for and treated humanely when they purchase and consume chicken," said Ashley Peterson, NCC's senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs.