Standard meat chickens reared in intensive systems are grown from newly hatched chick to oven-ready bird in just 39 days. These birds are bred to increase weight rapidly and at least 25% of them suffer from lameness and discomfort related to their excessive growth rates. Millions of broiler chickens die from heart failure in these sheds.

Compassion in World Farming’s Chicken Out! team will visit key towns and cities over the next few weeks to persuade the UK to opt for higher welfare quality, such as RSPCA Freedom Food, as the minimum standard when buying chicken products or prepared meals. The intensively farmed chicken blog at www.chickenout.tv has also launched.