The Policy

All Better Chicken Commitment policies must include deadlines to implement standards. To date, companies adopting the Better Chicken Commitment have set deadlines of 3–7 years to implement the standards based on the size of their supply chains.

The Policy

We will require our chicken suppliers to meet the following requirements for 100% of our products:

1. By [deadline], maintain a maximum stocking density of 6.0 lbs./sq. foot and prohibit all forms of broiler cages.
2. By [deadline], provide all birds with an improved baseline environment^[1], including:
   1. At least 3 inches of friable litter covering the whole floor of the house, managed to maintain dry, friable condition and prevent caked or wet areas.
   2. At minimum 8 hours of continuous light (≥50 lux) and 6 hours of continuous darkness daily (<1 lux).
   3. One or more types of functional enrichment (such as perches, platforms, or straw bales) that multiple birds can use at any time. The enrichments must be available by 10 days old and maintained thereafter, dispersed throughout the house and available to the entire flock with 1 enrichment for every 1,000 sq. ft or 1 enrichment per 1000 birds, at a minimum.
3. By [deadline], process chickens in a manner that avoids pre-stun handling and instead utilizes a multi-step controlled-atmosphere processing system that induces an irreversible stun.
4. By [deadline], demonstrate compliance with all standards via third-party auditing and annual public reporting on progress toward this commitment.
5. By [deadline], use only BCC-approved breeds that demonstrate higher welfare outcomes.*

Auditing Guidelines

You can see the original Better Chicken Commitment letter here.

Read more about the history of the Better Chicken Commitment.

*Breeds that have been approved for use to meet the BCC: Hubbard JA757, JACY57, JA787, JA957, JA987, JACY87, REDBRO, RedbroM, or Norfolk Black; Aviagen Rowan Ranger, Rambler Ranger, Ranger Classic, Ranger Premium, Ranger Gold, Rustic Gold, or Freedom Ranger; Cobb-Sasso 200 (CS200), Cooks Venture Pioneer, Royal Gray Broiler, or others that pass the breed welfare outcome assessments by either the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) or Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.).