While families across the country gather this weekend, the Ross 308 will be an affordable option for the Easter Sunday roast. This puts meat chickens – known in the industry as broilers – at the centre of one of the biggest animal welfare battles since the 2012 ban on barren battery cages for hens. Chicken producers say they are committed to animal welfare and the overwhelming majority of birds are clean and healthy. More than 1.1 billion broilers are produced each year in the UK, with the Ross 308 the most popular brand. The fast-growing breeds are helping to provide a cheap and plentiful supply of meat, but in recent years research has highlighted animal welfare concerns.

Source: The Guardian April 17, 2022 19:48 UTC