September 23, 2008

Slow-growing chicken breeds are introduced by the British poultry industry, as UK consumers become more welfare-conscious.

Breeding companies that supplies 860 million broilers for the UK annually are introducing the new breeds to capitalise on the expanding market, after years of producers being accused of raising poultry in as short a time and as cheaply as possible, according to the Guardian.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) believes the introduction of slower-growing birds could lead to a doubling of welfare hens from 5 percent in end of 2007 to 10 percent by the end of 2008.

Increasing numbers of indoor-raised birds now live up to 2 weeks longer than the average 5-6 weeks.

RSPCA introduced the rule that birds should not grow more than 45 g per day in 2006, but tightened it in February to cover a bird's genetic propensity for growth due to suspicions that some producers were simply feeding fast-growing birds less food.

The RSPCA believes that the arrival of the slow-growing chickens will improve UK's animal welfare.