What is the
Better Chicken Commitment?
A global benchmark for higher chicken welfare
Video credit: RSPCA UK | RSPCA Assured
The Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) is the world’s leading animal welfare benchmark for chickens chickens raised for meat.
Chickens don’t have to live short, painful lives in unnaturally large bodies and overcrowded sheds.
There is a proven, practical way to improve their welfare - and it’s already improving the lives of chickens around the world.
What does “better chicken” actually mean?
The Better Chicken Commitment means happier, healthier birds, with:
Slower, healthier growth
More space to move and stretch
Natural light during the day
Gentler handling and slaughter
These higher welfare standards dramatically reduce suffering and injury in chickens raised for meat.
They also reflect what most Australians already expect when they buy “higher welfare” products.
Image credit: RSPCA UK | RSPCA Assured
The Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) is the world’s leading animal welfare benchmark for chickens chickens raised for meat.
Chickens don’t have to live short, painful lives in unnaturally large bodies and overcrowded sheds.
There is a proven, practical way to improve their welfare - and it’s already improving the lives of chickens around the world.
What does “better chicken” actually mean?
The Better Chicken Commitment means happier, healthier birds, with:
Slower, healthier growth
More space to move and stretch
Natural light during the day
Gentler handling and slaughter
These higher welfare standards dramatically reduce suffering and injury in chickens raised for meat.
They also reflect what most Australians already expect when they buy “higher welfare” products.
Image credit: RSPCA UK | RSPCA Assured
Which companies are committed
to better standards?
Over 650 food companies around the world have already signed the Better Chicken Commitment.
We’re urging others to follow.
When people speak up, brands listen.
Domino’s, Marley Spoon, and Open Farm have signed the Better Chicken Commitment in Australia.
International success stories
Rapid transition by major UK supermarket Waitrose
One of Norway’s largest chicken producers, Norsk Kylling, fully transitioned to meet the BCC in 2022.
Now, the entire Norwegian chicken industry is committed to phasing out inhumane fast-growing breeds by 2027.
Collaboration between German certifier and campaigners
Leading animal welfare organisation Albert Schweizer Foundation successfully worked with certifier Haltungsform to improve their standards.
Haltungsform’s top three tiers (out of five) now all require slower growing chicken breeds.
Every major French supermarket is committed and reporting progress
All major supermarkets plus many smaller retailers in France have BCC commitments and are making progress on their supply transitions.
Carrefour, Auchan, Groupe Casino, and Metro are now at 35-50% of their chicken supply coming from slower growing breeds.
Norwegian chicken producer
Norsk Kylling is 100% BCC
In 2025, Waitrose beat its own deadline to switch to 100% BCC-compliant chicken meat.
They continue to champion chicken welfare, calling for their competitors and other food businesses to join them.
International success stories
Norwegian chicken producer
Norsk Kylling is 100% BCC
One of Norway’s largest chicken producers, Norsk Kylling, fully transitioned to meet the BCC in 2022.
Now, the entire Norwegian chicken industry is committed to phasing out inhumane fast-growing breeds by 2027.
Every major French supermarket is committed and reporting progress
All major supermarkets plus many smaller retailers in France have BCC commitments and are making progress on their supply transitions.
Carrefour, Auchan, Groupe Casino, and Metro are now at 35-50% of their chicken supply coming from slower growing breeds.
Rapid transition by major UK supermarket Waitrose
In 2025, Waitrose beat its own deadline to switch to 100% BCC-compliant chicken meat.
They continue to champion chicken welfare, calling for their competitors and other food businesses to join them.
Collaboration between German certifier and campaigners
Leading animal welfare organisation Albert Schweizer Foundation successfully worked with certifier Haltungsform to improve their standards.
Haltungsform’s top three tiers (out of five) now all require slower growing chicken breeds.
Progress only happens when people like you get involved
Food companies don’t change unless their customers demand it.
That’s where you come in.
It takes just two minutes. And it works.
That’s how the BCC is internationally successful - and Australia can do the same.
Progress for animal welfare relies on the strength of community-backed campaigns.