Your business can become an
industry leader in chicken welfare
Your business can become an
industry leader in chicken welfare
Consumers are increasingly concerned about where their food comes from and how it is produced.
When Australians learn about the reality of intensive chicken production, they are shocked to find out how poor the current welfare standards for chickens are.
The systemic suffering of fast-growing chicken breeds is out of step with consumer expectations. But there is a solution.
The Better Chicken Commitment is the next frontier in farmed animal welfare.
And your business can be at the forefront.
By adopting this globally recognised framework in your supply chain, your business can meet consumer expectations, strengthen your brand, and help drive meaningful change across the industry.
Image credit: RSPCA UK | RSPCA Assured
Consumers are increasingly concerned about where their food comes from and how it is produced.
When Australians learn about the reality of intensive chicken production, they are shocked to find out how poor the current welfare standards for chickens are.
The systemic suffering of fast-growing chicken breeds is out of step with consumer expectations. But there is a solution.
The Better Chicken Commitment is the next frontier in farmed animal welfare.
And your business can be at the forefront.
By adopting this globally recognised framework in your supply chain, your business can meet consumer expectations, strengthen your brand, and help drive meaningful change across the industry.
Image credit: RSPCA UK | RSPCA Assured
Download your guide
We’ve produced a guide to help your business understand and implement higher animal welfare standards for meat chickens in your supply chain.
Register to download your copy of the Better Chicken Commitment Guide for Food Businesses.
Who has already joined
the Better Chicken Commitment?
Food businesses are leaders in driving industry change.
In Australia, early adopters of the Better Chicken Commitment include Domino’s, Marley Spoon, and Open Farm.
We’re inviting food businesses to join them and commit to a better future for chickens in Australia.
New Zealand’s progress
Across the ditch in Aotearoa New Zealand, seven businesses have signed the BCC, including Domino’s. Two of these also operate in Australia (but haven't yet signed the BCC here) - HelloFresh and The Coffee Club.
Global trends in corporate animal welfare standards
The shift toward higher welfare chicken production is well underway internationally.
Across Europe and North America, over 650 food businesses – from retailers to restaurants and food service providers – have publicly committed to meeting the Better Chicken Commitment.
Higher welfare chicken is becoming the new standard.
393 commitments
in Europe
249 commitments
in North America
Who has already joined the Better Chicken Commitment?
Food businesses are leaders in driving industry change.
In Australia, early adopters of the Better Chicken Commitment include Domino’s, Marley Spoon, and Open Farm.
We’re inviting food businesses to join them and commit to a better future for chickens in Australia.
New Zealand’s progress
Across the ditch in Aotearoa New Zealand, seven businesses have signed the BCC, including Domino’s.
Two of these also operate in Australia (but haven't yet signed the BCC here) - HelloFresh and The Coffee Club.
Global trends in corporate animal welfare standards
393 commitments
in Europe
249 commitments
in North America
The shift toward higher welfare chicken production is well underway internationally.
Across Europe and North America, over 650 food businesses – from retailers to restaurants and food service providers – have publicly committed to meeting the Better Chicken Commitment.
Higher welfare chicken is becoming the new standard.
Start the conversation
If your business is interested in learning more or adopting the Better Chicken Commitment, we’d love to work with you.
Fill out this contact form or email us directly at business@betterchicken.org.au
FAQs
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The RSPCA Meat Chicken Standard was recently updated to include a new level that requires higher welfare, slower growing breeds and provides a pathway to meet the Better Chicken Commitment.
However, base requirements for RSPCA Certified, as well as standard free-range requirements, do not meet the Better Chicken Commitment.
RSPCA Certified is currently the only certification scheme operating in Australia that provides a compliance pathway for the Better Chicken Commitment.
As long as fast-growing breeds remain in use, chicken welfare in the Australian supply chain will continue to be compromised. These birds are more likely to experience pain, lameness and physical impairment, which limits their ability to benefit from environmental improvements such as more space, natural light or outdoor access. In other words, better living conditions are not enough without switching to higher welfare, slower growing breeds. That is why the Better Chicken Commitment addresses both the birds’ environment and the genetic traits that shape their quality of life.
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The Better Chicken Commitment does not require immediate compliance. It’s a commitment to begin the transition process, which usually takes a few years to complete.
We are committed to working with businesses and industry to support this process. The key to success lies in creating demand. When you sign the BCC, you are signalling to your supplier that you and your customers care about chicken welfare and that there is a market for slower-growing chickens.
It's worth noting that there were no slower growing breeds available in other countries at one point either, but because businesses in Europe and North America signed the BCC and worked with their suppliers, a strong supply of higher welfare chicken is now available. Signing the BCC opens that same conversation with your supplier and puts you on record as part of a growing market for higher-welfare chicken in Australia.
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The fact that your customers are asking about the Better Chicken Commitment is a great sign; it means they care about animal welfare and are looking to you for leadership on the issue.
If you have already signed the BCC, let them know. You can tell them something like: "We've signed the Better Chicken Commitment, which means we're working toward higher welfare standards for the chickens in our supply chain, including more space, better environments, and a transition to slower-growing breeds." You can also display the BCC logo in your venue, on your menu, or on your website to make your commitment visible without customers needing to ask.
If you haven't yet signed, this is a good moment to consider it.
Customer interest is one of the strongest signals you can bring to your supplier, and signing the BCC puts you in a position to respond with confidence: "We're committed to improving chicken welfare and are working toward the Better Chicken Commitment standards."
We are actively seeking to work with businesses to understand the Better Chicken Commitment and how they can bring higher welfare standards into their chicken supply chain. We’d love to hear from you - contact us at business@betterchicken.org.au to arrange a meeting with our team.
No matter the circumstance, pointing customers to the Better Chicken Australia website gives them more detail if they want to learn about the commitment and what it means for chicken welfare. You can simply tell them to check out betterchicken.org.au