background image
Genetic Problems in Meat Poultry (cont'd)
"Most of the welfare issues specifically related to commercial broiler chicken
production are a direct result of genetic selection for unnaturally fast growth. The
modern broiler chicken's body is forced to put all its resources into the two burdens
of growth and feed conversion at the expense of achieving balanced growth and
body maintenance" (Turner, et al., p. 9 cited in Davis, K. Humane Treatment of
Domestic Livestock 2003).
Crippled turkey foot
Crippled and non-ambulatory broiler chickens
5