Skip to content
Agriculture Farming Rural, Animal Animal WelfareRights

National campaign shines spotlight on plight of chickens farmed for meat

Australian Alliance for Animals 3 mins read

Launched today, Better Chicken Australia is the latest phase of the Better Chicken Commitment campaign backed by the Australian Alliance for Animals, World Animal Protection and Animals Aotearoa, which aims to lift the lid on the conditions faced by 700 million chickens farmed for meat in Australia every year.

Better Chicken Australia will highlight the critical welfare issues caused by current chicken industry practices and showcase the pathway for change through uptake of the internationally recognised Better Chicken Commitment.

The Better Chicken Commitment is a global policy initiative committing food businesses to introduce higher welfare standards for all chickens in their supply chain, focusing on changing the breeds, living conditions and slaughter methods used in commercial chicken production.

Alliance for Animals’ Co-Founder and Strategy Director Dr Bidda Jones AM said, “We’re increasing the pressure behind this campaign because the treatment of meat chickens is one of the biggest but least recognised animal welfare problems in Australia today.”

Over 700 million chickens are raised and slaughtered for meat every year in Australia. Most of these are fast-growing breeds, genetically selected to grow at extreme rates to an unnatural size.

“These breeds are linked to a suite of serious welfare problems including leg deformities, lameness, skin infections, and heart conditions.

“Packed at high stocking densities in sheds with tens of thousands of other birds, and with the continued use of outdated, inhumane slaughter methods, the life of an intensively farmed chicken is a pretty miserable one.

“The scale of chicken production is mind-blowing, with nearly 2 million birds killed for their meat daily. Yet most Australian consumers are completely unaware of the widespread animal suffering which sits behind this industry.

“This solutions-focused campaign brings the plight of chickens to broader attention and calls on food businesses and producers to lead the charge in transforming chicken welfare.”

Better Chicken Commitment Campaigner April Broadbent said, “We know that the majority of Australians care about farmed animals and would be shocked at the suffering faced by chickens. 

Modern chickens are genetically selected to grow too big and fast for their own bodies to handle. They don’t get enough space, light, or clean air and, sadly, many will endure a very stressful, painful death. We want this to change.

“This campaign is about shedding light on the realities of the chicken industry and giving consumers and businesses alike a pathway to improve the lives of millions of Aussie chickens.

“The Better Chicken Commitment has had significant uptake in the UK, Europe and North America. We’re calling on food businesses in Australia to step up and make this same commitment to better chicken welfare here.

“Concerned Aussies can also help change the lives of chickens by urging the shops and restaurants they frequent to sign up to the Better Chicken Commitment.

“It’s time for Aussie chickens to get a better life.”

 

BACKGROUND

  • The Australia-New Zealand Better Chicken Commitment is backed by 15 leading animal welfare organisations. It sets targets for the most important welfare issues for chickens raised for meat, including better living conditions, more humane slaughter methods, and switching to healthier, slower growing chicken breeds that promote good welfare. See https://www.betterchicken.org.au/s/Australia-New-Zealand-BCC  
  • Globally, there are over 625 commitments from businesses to the Better Chicken Commitment. In Australia, the Better Chicken Commitment has already been signed by Domino’s, Open Farm, and Marley Spoon.
  • Progress of the BCC in Europe as of June 2024 is detailed in this report by the Open Wing Alliance: https://openwingalliance.org/ecc-progress-report-2024

 

NOTES FOR MEDIA

For all media, photo and interview inquiries, please call 0426 025 329 or email media@allianceforanimals.org.au.  

Dr Bidda Jones and April Broadbent are available for interviews.

Dr Bidda Jones AM leads the Alliance’s animal welfare strategy. A zoologist specialising in animal behaviour and welfare, Dr Jones previously worked for RSPCA Australia for 25 years and is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney School of Veterinary Science. In 2021, Dr Jones was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant services to animal welfare science and advocacy. 

April Broadbent is the Campaigner for the Better Chicken Commitment. April has a professional background in environment and electoral campaigning and communications, as well as experience in animal rescue, including managing an animal shelter. She holds a lifelong interest in bird welfare.

About the Australian Alliance for Animals 

The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national registered charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people across the country. Learn more by visiting our website at www.allianceforanimals.org.au.

Media

More from this category

  • Animal Animal WelfareRights, General News
  • 17/02/2025
  • 09:00
17 February, 2025

Tay Tay shakes her way into most popular pet dog names

Music superstar Taylor Swift has now entered the pet’s name hall of fame and has been joined by other music royalty including Beyonce, Madonna, Britney, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, as the Bupa Pet Insurance top pet names are unveiled for 2024. The popular pet names based on Bupa’s pet insurance policies, also drew inspiration from Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Star Wars, designer clothing brands, fast cars, and food. Music royalty reigned supreme, with AC/DC, Lady Gaga and Elvis popping into the charts, and even Taylor Swift’s fan brigade made the list, with some pet dogs now also being referred…

  • Agriculture Farming Rural, Education Training
  • 17/02/2025
  • 07:00
Nuffield Australia

Be curious, drive change with a 2026 Nuffield scholarship

MEDIA RELEASEMonday, 17 February 2025 Be curious, drive change with a 2026 Nuffield scholarship Nuffield Australia has today opened applications for its 2026 scholarships, calling on the next crop of Australian agriculturalists to be curious, drive change and help their industry thrive. Farmers and those working in the agriculture industry are encouraged to seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by applying for a scholarship for 15 weeks of overseas study. Nuffield Australia CEO and 2013 scholar Jodie Redcliffe said Nuffield scholarships were recognised as the pinnacle of industry-based, experiential learning for primary producers. “Scholars have a unique opportunity to visit, learn from…

  • Contains:
  • Animal Animal WelfareRights, Government VIC
  • 15/02/2025
  • 07:00
Coalition Against Duck Shooting

Premier Jacinta Allan has the blood of Australia’s native waterbirds on her hands Premier’s call on duck shooting ignores the risk of spreading deadly bird flu Regional Victorians want Tourism, not recreational native bird shooting

COALITION AGAINST DUCK SHOOTING Media Release 14 February 2025 Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has ignored all the warnings by announcing a three-month duck shooting seasonwith a bag limit of nine birds per shooter per day. Premier Allan has the blood of Australia’s native waterbirds onher hands. Waterbird numbers are already low and the Premier risks spreading the deadly H5N1 bird flu as well asthe highly pathogenic H7N8 strain by shooters and rescuers disturbing and handling any birds that may be infectedon the wetlands, the Coalition Against Duck Shooting Campaign Director, Laurie Levy, said today. “With the imminent threat of the…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.