Lower stocking densities have led to “significant welfare improvements” on chicken farms, Avara Foods has said.
The poultry giant said a year on from moving to a 30kg per sq m stocking density across its broiler supply base – well below UK (39kg) and Red Tractor (38kg) standards – it had seen several improvements.
The benefits, listed in its latest ‘For Good’ report, included lower instances of pododermatitis and hock marks, which have reduced by 45% and 54% respectively.
Avara said the welfare advances had not impacted its ability to meet rising consumer demand, nor “maintaining chicken’s low carbon footprint”.
The company said birds were not needing to consume as much feed to maintain their weights, meaning their individual carbon footprints have decreased.
“Since we moved to 30kg’s, every measurable physical welfare indicator for our birds has improved,” said Avara agriculture director David Neilson. “The early feedback from farmers has also been positive, noting they have more time and space on farm, making it easier to review flock Health and manage their birds.”
Read more: Avara Foods eyes better 2026 after turnaround progress
The report highlighted other areas of improvement for the business and its supply chain, including more ambitious climate targets.
It has also launched Regional Colleague Councils to give employees “a seat at the negotiating table” and has delivered more than two million meals through its partnership with food charity FareShare.
“We produce some of the very best chicken and turkey in the world, with excellent measurable welfare outcomes and a reducing environmental footprint, while still meeting exacting standards for food safety and quality, and the ethical treatment of the people involved,” said Avara CEO Chris Hall.
“Developments that limit supply would likely see imports rise and the standard of poultry on sale reduce overall, undermining decades of consistent progress.”
In its strategic report for the year ending 31 May 2025, the company said the current planning system, and delays to reform, made it challenging to meet the growth in demand for poultry through home-grown production. It also pointed to significant cost increases driven by national living wage and National Insurance changes, which come into effect this month.
Hall added: “UK consumers want, and deserve, high standards and the UK’s are amongst the best in the world, while still being affordable for the British public.”
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