Animal welfare charity contacted Cornish farmers on chicken breeding
The Humane League have written to 1,600 farmers across the UK about 'Frankenchickens'
An animal welfare charity has contacted eight of Cornwall farmers who may be breaking the law by breeding so called 'Frankenchickens'.
The Humane League have written to 1,600 chicken farmers across the UK about chickens who grow so fast, alive for barely a month, which causes defects and diseases.
Katie Ferneyhough, Head of Programs at the Humane League, said: "They can't walk, they can't stand up on their own, they suffer from bone deformities.
"'Frankenchickens' account for over 90% of the one billion chickens that we raise every single year in this country. It's very likely people have come across them, this wide-spread issue across the industry."
They warn one farm in Kelly Bray has an estimated 240,000 birds, which is over half the population on a single farm.
Katie added: "We've done investigations into many supermarkets, we've seen things called hot burns, skin burns, you can see the green muscle disease, you can see things like white striping. These are things that can be seen."
In response, British Poultry Council Chief Executive Richard Griffiths said: "There has been no legal ruling against the use of conventional breeds and nothing to suggest that British poultry meat production, as it stands, is unlawful. The Court of Appeal denied the Humane League’s appeal and made clear that welfare decisions sit within the remit of the competent authority - in this case, Defra. The Court recognised welfare as a complex issue influenced by genetics, husbandry, and environment. Good practice remains key, and that is something British poultry meat producers take very seriously.
"British poultry producers operate to some of the highest welfare standards in the world, with over 90% of production assured under Red Tractor. The derogatory terms used by NGOs are misleading and undermines evidence-based progress in welfare and sustainable food production."