Frankenchicken

Also known as: fast-growing broiler; fast-growing meat chicken.

What is a frankenchicken?

“Frankenchicken” is a term used by animal-welfare campaigners for the fast-growing chicken breeds that have been selectively bred to reach slaughter weight as quickly as possible. These fast-growing breeds account for roughly 90% of the chickens raised for meat in the UK — around 1.1 billion birds a year — and now reach slaughter weight in just 34 to 36 days, a growth rate that has increased by more than 400% since the 1950s.

Why it matters

Forcing a young bird to grow this fast puts severe strain on its body. Bones and organs struggle to keep pace with the rapidly increasing weight, making lameness, bone deformities, heart failure and organ failure far more common. Many birds spend long periods slumped on ammonia-soaked litter, causing painful “hock burns,” and the forced growth leaves visible “white striping” — bands of fat and scar tissue — in the breast meat sold in shops. The campaign group Project Slingshot uses the term as part of its push to end the use of these breeds.

Learn more from Project Slingshot’s “Ban Frankenchickens” campaign.