Norway to phase out ‘frankenchickens’ by 2027 in landmark animal welfare move

Credit: Anima International

Norway will become the first country in the world to eliminate fast-growing chicken breeds, after its poultry industry confirmed a full transition to higher welfare birds by the end of 2027.

The decision impacts a sector producing around 70 million chickens for meat each year and marks a decisive shift away from so-called ‘frankenchickens’ – known in Norway as ‘turbochickens’ – selectively bred to reach slaughter weight at extreme speed.

Animal welfare advocates have welcomed the decision as a historic moment for the global poultry industry, while warning it exposes how far behind the UK remains on chicken welfare.

For decades, NGOs have raised concerns about the widespread use of fast-growing breeds, linking them to severe and routine welfare problems. Numerous investigations have documented birds struggling to walk under their own weight, while research suggests fast-growing chickens endure hundreds of hours of pain during their short lives.

Pressure mounts on UK poultry and foodservice sector

Currently, around 60 percent of chickens in Norway are fast-growing breeds, predominantly Ross 308 – the same breed used by around 90 percent of the UK chicken industry. Over the past five years, Norwegian producers have gradually introduced slower-growing, higher welfare breeds, including Rustic Gold and Hubbard JA787, paving the way for a complete phase-out.

Connor Jackson, chief executive of the UK arm of Anima International, said:

What’s happening now in Norway is a historic moment. It’s one of the greatest improvements to animal welfare in history, and it shows that the transition away from fast-growing breeds is possible. But it also shows just how far behind we are on this issue in the UK, where companies have barely started to address this problem.”

Anima International has campaigned in Norway for five years to secure the transition. In the UK, where it also operates, NGOs have been calling for similar reforms since 2017 through the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC).

The announcement follows fresh criticism of McDonald’s, KFC and other major fast-food brands in a new European report led by World Animal Protection, which found they had failed to deliver meaningful welfare improvements despite years of public pledges.

Retailers split on pace of transition

Some UK retailers have made big progress. Waitrose last year became the first major UK retailer to fully transition to higher welfare breeds across all chicken products. Marks & Spencer has completed the switch for fresh chicken and plans to transition all products by the end of this year.

However, fast-growing breeds remain the norm across much of the UK market. Other retailers have focused on providing birds with more space, a move campaigners welcome but say fails to address the root cause of welfare problems.

Jackson added:

UK consumers care deeply about animal welfare, and they would be shocked to see the reality of an intensive chicken farm even with more space.

Better management is positive, but it only scratches the surface of the problem. To really improve these animals’ lives, we need to follow in Norway’s footsteps with a transition to higher welfare, slower growing breeds.

Retailers, along with high street brands like KFC, Greggs and Pret need to step up and solve the biggest welfare problem for chickens: fast-growing genetics. Nothing is stopping companies from getting together with industry and finding a solution, just like Norway has.”