Fast-Growing 'Frankenchickens' Farming Welfare Case Dismissed; Animal Welfare Group Vows to Appeal

An animal welfare group raised concern about the genetically-selected breeds - which they call "Frankenchickens." They argue that chickens subjected to those breeding suffer serious health problems, but the high court in the United Kingdom dismissed their claim.

Frankenchickens Farming Welfare Case Dismissed

Judge, Sir Ross Cranston, stated that the Secretary of State, Thérèse Coffey, had not "acted contrary to her legal duties" in response to the animal welfare group's complaint against her relating to the "Frankenchickens," BBC reported.

He said Coffey reviewed the literature and took expert advice, including from APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency). They accepted that fast-growing meat chickens might be at a higher risk of welfare problems, but keeping them is not detrimental to their welfare because environmental factors can affect the health and welfare of birds of all breeds, including slow-growing ones.

Since they have been genetically bred for decades to produce the most meat possible quickly, animal rights activists refer to them as "Frankenchickens."

With a growth rate that is reportedly 12 weeks faster than five decades ago, the chickens reach slaughter weight in 34 to 36 days.

Protesters contend that because of the hens' rapid growth, they are susceptible to various health and welfare problems due to their rapid growth, including heart attacks, organ failure, burns, lameness, bone deformities, and muscle disorders.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), according to The Humane League (THL) UK, violated the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 by authorizing their usage.

The regulations specify specific guidelines for caring for agricultural animals, especially meat hens. The League has also contested the monitoring system used by Defra to find welfare problems.

George Ford, raising 1,500 pasture-raised hens in movable pens in a field near Bristol, claims chickens grow more slowly than other animals and are killed between 77 and 80 days after birth.

He believed farmers are under pressure to "drive down" the price, so they turn to fast-growing chickens. The merchant has continually pressured the producers to produce a product at a lower cost.

He claimed that while no farmer would choose to grow birds in such conditions, they are compelled to do so due to poor prices.

According to a Defra spokeswoman, farm animals are protected by strict animal health and welfare legislation that includes specific guidelines for how they should be cared for. Defra will keep collaborating with the agricultural industry to uphold and improve its high standards.

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THL Plans to Appeal

Fast-growing 'Frankenchickens' suffer dreadful lives, and we believe the legal system is doing nothing to improve things, said Sean Gifford, managing director of THL, The Guardian reported. Defra could ensure chickens no longer suffer excruciating leg deformities, open sores, and heart attacks due to their genetic makeup.

However, more than 1 billion sentient, thinking animals will now be left in pain, he added. Gifford said they are exploring their options, including filing an appeal against the ruling, as they continue their fight for hens' rights. He stressed that both the animals and this nation deserve better.

Advocates for Animals co-founder and THL attorney Edie Bowles expressed her displeasure with the decision. It was an opportunity in this example to demonstrate the practical value of the basic requirements for protecting farm animals. If the government is not policing this accepted business practice, then who is? she asked.

Meanwhile, RSPCA, which participated in the case as an intervener, felt that the decision was a squandered opportunity to implement the most significant change for animals in 200 years.