The Historic End of Fast-Growing Chickens Begins Here

Norway will fully phase out fast-growing chicken breeds by 2027, becoming the first country to eliminate birds linked to severe welfare problems in industrial poultry farming.

“This is one of the greatest improvements to animal welfare in history and shows that change is possible at scale,” said Connor Jackson, Chief Executive of Anima International UK.

The move affects a sector producing around 70 million chickens a year. It completes a transition begun five years ago toward slower-growing, higher-welfare breeds such as Rustic Gold and Hubbard JA787. Fast-growing breeds, long criticised for causing chronic pain and mobility problems, currently dominate global poultry production, including around 90% of the UK market. Norway’s decision sets a powerful precedent, showing that large food systems can improve animal welfare without shrinking supply.