Why did the chicken cross the road…?
… to find out why fast-growing chickens are reshaping the poultry industry and dividing opinion.
So-called “Frankenchickens” are bred to grow to slaughter weight faster than standard chickens – fuelling a growing debate about animal welfare and sustainability.
Supporters say they’re an efficient way to meet demand by keeping costs down and environmental impact low, but critics argue they cause serious health and wellbeing issues for the animals.
At the centre of this debate is Northern Ireland, one of the UK’s biggest poultry producers. Here’s what we explore in the video;
00:00 – Have you heard of a ‘Frankenchicken’?
00:59 – A history of chicken in Northern Ireland
01:37 – Meeting the UK’s demand for chicken
03:11 – The birth of the ‘Frankenchicken’
03:54 – The view from animal rights campaigners
04:21 – The Sustainable Chicken Forum and the Better Chicken Commitment
06:08 – Companies leave the Better Chicken Commitment
07:55 – SCF explained – the argument around sustainability
10:35 – Northern Irish chicken production
11:19 – What does this all mean for Northern Irish farmers?
11:50 – What will companies decide to do?
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