The RSPCA is urging major fast food companies not to sacrifice chicken welfare for profits - as 18 businesses abandon promises and risk condemning millions more chickens to lives of poor welfare.

In the UK, over one billion chickens are reared for meat annually, and more than 90% of these are fast-growing - meaning they risk severe welfare issues, including chronic pain, lameness, and heart conditions caused because they grow too fast.

More than 200 food businesses had signed up to the Better Chicken Commitment to improve chicken welfare by 2026 - including a move away from faster-growing breeds. 

But now 18 major hospitality brands - including Burger King, KFC and Nando's - have announced they are withdrawing and have instead set up their own scheme and no longer intend to switch to slower growing breeds to improve welfare. 

Dr Marc Cooper, Head of Farmed Animal Welfare at the RSPCA, said: "This backtrack is a huge blow to improving chicken welfare. Fast growth remains the single biggest welfare issue we need to tackle in the UK due to the enormous numbers of animals affected.

"More than 90% of the one billion chickens raised every year in the UK are bred to grow so fast that they can suffer debilitating health issues, including leaving them unable to  walk properly by the end of their short lives."

The group of businesses has instead set up a new forum - but the RSPCA is concerned it will offer 'watered down welfare,' if it does not focus on the breed of chickens used.

Dr Cooper added: "The type of chicken being bred must be the primary focus if we want to truly improve welfare. Providing chickens with more space, enrichment and natural light are worthy pursuits, but birds will only really benefit if they are healthy and can walk properly."

The RSPCA launched the Sit, Eat, Suffer, Repeat campaign about the severe welfare implications of selectively-bred fast-growing breeds of chicken commonly used in meat production, including conducting scientific trials which showed quicker-growing chickens spent significantly less time walking and standing, dedicating more time to feeding and sitting compared to a commercially-viable slower-growing breed.

The UK Government showed support for voluntary moves away from fast-growing chicken breeds in its recent Animal Welfare Strategy for England. Elsewhere, Norway has gone further by committing to ending the use of these faster-grown breeds altogether.

Dr Cooper added: "We know the public cares deeply about the welfare of farmed animals. We need to adopt sustainable practices, which includes ensuring the animals we rear to produce our food are provided with a good life. 

"Any business that is serious about genuinely improving the lives of meat chickens needs to address the fast-growing nature of today's breeds. We therefore urge these businesses to think about their consumers, and the welfare of the chickens that their profits depend on, and revisit this disastrous move.

"And we applauded those businesses and retailers who have signed up and remain committed, or are already delivering better lives for chickens."

According to the RSPCA's Animal Kindness Index, 84% of people consider it unacceptable to breed animals with genetic health problems - and 85% feel the same about breeding animals with extreme body shapes.

Meanwhile, research from RSPCA Assured - the RSPCA's ethical food assurance label - shows that 85% of adults say it's important that farmed animals are cared for to higher welfare standards.

RSPCA Assured's Chief Commercial Officer Kelly Grellier, added: "RSPCA Assured is the only food assurance label dedicated to animal welfare and goes far beyond the legal minimum.

Each member follows hundreds of standards and receives regular assessment to ensure farmed animals have a better quality of life.

"This is what the public wants and most importantly, it's what is right for our farmed animals. By opting for products with the RSPCA Assured label, the public will be sending a message that animal welfare is  non-negotiable."