Animal activists have revealed shocking conditions in chicken farms supplying the Co-op, drawing significant public concern.
- Secret footage shows chickens in extreme distress, highlighting severe health and welfare issues.
- Activists describe the chickens as ‘Frankenchickens’, bred to grow unnaturally fast with dire consequences.
- Despite overwhelming support, Co-op has resisted fully adopting the Better Chicken Commitment but plans minor welfare improvements.
- The controversy raises questions about animal welfare standards and corporate responsibility in food production.
Animal rights activists have brought to light appalling conditions in farms supplying chickens to the Co-op. Through covertly acquired footage, activists from Open Cages have highlighted the extreme distress and poor welfare experienced by chickens in these facilities. The recordings graphically depict chickens ‘collapsing in agony, deformed and dying’ while staff are seen disposing of large numbers of dead birds.
The term ‘Frankenchickens’ has been used to describe these birds, referring to breeds engineered to grow at a rate that outpaces their physiological capacity to develop healthily. As a result, these chickens suffer from a litany of health issues, including heart attacks, organ failure, lameness, bone deformities, muscle diseases, and burns. Such descriptions were made evident through hidden camera footage obtained by Open Cages from three separate farms located in the East Midlands.
In response to these revelations, there was a significant call to action from activists and some Co-op members for the company to implement the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC). This initiative, which has been backed by experts, seeks to improve chicken welfare by replacing fast-growing breeds with those that grow at a more sustainable pace, ensuring more space, natural light, and environmental enrichments. In May, this issue was brought to a vote during Co-op’s AGM, where a resounding 96% of 32,000 voting members supported adopting BCC.
However, despite this strong show of support, Co-op’s board decided against ceasing the sale of these fast-growing breeds, citing the need to maintain low prices for consumers. Nevertheless, the company did commit to reducing the stocking density of chickens, thereby granting them 20% more space in line with BCC standards. A Co-op representative asserted, ‘Ensuring the animals in our supply chain are looked after is a priority for us, and all our fresh chicken meets or exceeds Red Tractor or RSPCA Assured standards.’
This unfolding situation not only highlights the stark reality of current welfare practices within poultry farming but also underscores the broader discourse around consumer responsibility and ethical sourcing in the food industry. As Co-op aims to balance competitive pricing with animal welfare, the public and advocacy groups continue to scrutinize its policies and practices.
The exposé by animal activists pressures Co-op and other retailers to confront ethical considerations in poultry welfare and supply chains.
