How the Better Chicken Commitment compares to standards in NZ

The Better Chicken Commitment is the leading set of science-based standards for chicken welfare. It was originally developed by 30 animal welfare organisations as a set of standards to address the biggest causes of suffering on chicken farms where chickens are reared for meat. 

The Australia-New Zealand Better Chicken Commitment (Aus-NZ BCC) has been developed by Animals Aotearoa, SPCA NZ, Compassion in World Farming and The Humane League to meet the needs of our local context. It is supported by 15 animal organisations including Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa and World Animal Protection. 

We are often asked how the Aus-NZ BCC compares with the current minimum standards for chickens, which were written by the National Animal Welfare Committee (NAWAC) and found in the Code of Welfare (Meat Chickens) and the Code of Welfare (Commercial Slaughter). 

The Codes outline minimum standards that are considered the minimum necessary to meet the Animal Welfare Act. They also outline some Recommended Best Practices. Many of these best practices are in line with the Aus-NZ BCC, as you can see in the table below. Over time, in most areas of animal welfare, the recommended best practices get lifted to minimum standards when codes are reviewed. 

The Code of Welfare for chickens bred for meat was initially drafted in 2012 and republished in 2018 (without a review). The Government has said a full review will be starting in 2025. 

We are also often asked how the Aus-NZ BCC compares to the New Zealand free-range standards. It is important to note that there is no legal definition of free-range in New Zealand so we have also compared the ANZ BCC standards to the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand’s free-range standards for meat chickens. Many free-range and some indoor farms also carry an SPCA Certified label which we also provide comparison for.

The Aus-NZ BCC is an improvement upon the current minimum standards, the industry free-range standards and the SPCA Certified standards for chickens bred for meat. However, many of the Aus-NZ BCC standards match NAWAC’s recommended best practices. The main difference with the Aus-NZ BCC is a restriction on the abnormally fast-growing breeds used, in favour of healthier breeds who grow more naturally.

This comparison table is best viewed on a desktop or tablet.

Stocking Density

Aus-NZ BCC	CODE OF WELFARE (MEAT CHICKENS)	PIANZ FREE-RANGE	SPCA CERTIFIED
Implement a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m2 or less.  Thinning* is discouraged and if practised must be limited to one thin per flock.	Minimum standard 10(b) stocking density in sheds must not exceed 38kg of live weight per square metre of floor space. Recommended best practice a) Meat chickens should be stocked in sheds at less than 30 kg per square metre at all times. No mention of thinning*.	“The indoor stocking density of a shed must not exceed 34kg of weight per square metre of floor space.” No mention of thinning*.	Appropriate Behavioural Interactions B17 – The maximum permitted stocking density inside the shed is 34 kg/m2 and must be calculated based on the target live weight of the birds at slaughter. B18 – A maximum of two cuts/thins per cycle (excluding depopulation) is allowed. B19 – Where outdoor access is offered, the maximum permitted stocking density on the range is 10 birds/m2.

Breed

Aus-NZ BCC	CODE OF WELFARE (MEAT CHICKENS)	PIANZ FREE-RANGE	SPCA CERTIFIED
Adopt breeds that demonstrate higher welfare outcomes: either the following breeds, Hubbard Redbro (indoor use only); Hubbard Norfolk Black, JA757, JACY57, 787, 957, or 987, Rambler Ranger, Ranger Classic, and Ranger Gold, or other breeds that meet the criteria of the RSPCA (England & Wales) Broiler Breed Welfare Assessment Protocol or equivalent protocol validated by the Better Chicken Commitment committee.	No requirement for breed. It is worth noting that the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee issued this statement in relation to chicken breeds in 2017. “NAWAC has concerns that the meat chicken has been selectively bred beyond a point that is compatible with survivability…NAWAC is concerned that the rapid growth of these animals has a negative effect on the birds that are kept in adulthood – for example affecting their fertility, mortality, locomotion, and aggressiveness.”	No mention of breed.	No requirement for breed. Although it isn’t a requirement, the SPCA standard includes the following statement. “SPCA Certified supports the use of meat chicken breeds that demonstrate improved welfare outcomes in comparison to conventional breeds. This includes the use of slower growing breeds. SPCA Certified strongly recommends that meat chicken producers switch to the use of slower growing breeds as soon as they are available in New Zealand.”

Light

Aus-NZ BCC	CODE OF WELFARE (MEAT CHICKENS)	PIANZ FREE-RANGE	SPCA CERTIFIED
At least 50 lux of light, including natural light.  At least six hours of darkness in each 24-hour period, with four hours of that darkness being continuous.	Minimum Standard 6(b) Lighting patterns must encourage activity and provide a minimum period of darkness each day to ensure adequate rest in chickens, such that: i) if only four hours of darkness is provided it must be continuous; ii) if more than four hours of darkness is provided, each dark period must be a minimum of three continuous hours. Recommended Best Practice: Light intensity at chicken head height should be at least 50 lux.	“Lighting patterns must encourage activity and provide a minimum period of darkness each day to ensure adequate rest in chickens.” Minimum period is not stated.	Appropriate Behavioural Interactions E30 – A minimum average light intensity of 20 lux, measured at bird height across the shed. E31- Starting from the fifth day after placement, birds must be provided with a minimum of eight hours of continuous light and a minimum of six hours of darkness in each 24-hour period. Four of the hours of darkness must be continuous and must occur during normal night time. Recommended: An average light intensity of 50 lux across the shed is recommended for the entire production cycle. It is recommended that natural light openings are provided in order to allow for adequate natural light to enter the shed on overcast days.

Enrichments

Aus-NZ BCC	CODE OF WELFARE (MEAT CHICKENS)	PIANZ FREE-RANGE	SPCA CERTIFIED
At least two metres of usable perch space, and two pecking substrates, per 1,000 birds.	No minimum standard. Recommended Best Practice: Chickens should be provided with environmental enrichment to maximise the expression of normal behaviours. Such practices may include: i) provision of bales of hay or straw ii) perches/barriers iii) pecking objects iv) provision of peat moss or sand to promote dustbathing and other activity v) provision of trees, shrubs, or covered shelters outdoors to encourage chickens with access to the outdoors to move away from the popholes and house perimeter.	No mention of perches or pecking substrate.	Appropriate Behavioural Interactions B8 – A minimum of three (3) linear metres of platform space must be provided for every 1,000 birds. B13 – Enrichment items must be spread evenly throughout the shed, so that they are easily accessible to all birds. Where large enrichment items are used, e.g. cardboard boxes or straw/hay/wood shaving bales, there must be at least one enrichment item for every 1,000 birds. Where small enrichment items are used, e.g. coloured plastic chains, egg boxes/trays orpecking blocks, there must be at least one enrichment item for every 500 birds.

Litter

Aus-NZ BCC	CODE OF WELFARE (MEAT CHICKENS)	PIANZ FREE-RANGE	SPCA CERTIFIED
Good quality, friable litter at a minimum of 5 cm depth across the entire shed floor; managed to maintain dry, friable condition and prevent caked or wet areas.	Minimum Standard 9 (a) Litter must be of good quality material, friable, and with minimal risk of toxic agent contamination. (b) Meat chicken shed floor must be completely covered with litter. (c) Litter must be managed to avoid levels of dustiness or dampness sufficient to cause leg, respiratory or other health problems.	The shed environment must provide feed, water, litter and shelter from heat, cold, pests and predators.	E18 – Birds must have continuous access to good quality litter that is of a suitable material and particle size. Litter must be dry, absorbent, friable and free from toxic contaminants. E19 – Litter must cover the entire useable indoor floor area.E20 If litter becomes irreparably wet, fouled, crusted, capped or pugged, it must be removed promptly and replaced with dry, friable litter. E21 – At placement, litter depth must be a minimum of 5 cm across the entire shed and maintained at this depth until depopulation.

Air Quality

Aus-NZ BCC	CODE OF WELFARE (MEAT CHICKENS)	PIANZ FREE-RANGE	SPCA CERTIFIED
On air quality: the concentration of ammonia does not exceed 20 ppm and the concentration of carbon dioxide does not exceed 3000 ppm at the level of the chickens’ heads, regardless of stocking density.	Minimum Standard 7(b) Immediate and appropriate action must be taken to reduce ammonia levels if they exceed 20 ppm at chicken head height. No standards for carbon dioxide	No specific standards for ammonia or carbon dioxide. But will be meeting standards in the Code of Welfare.	Good Physical Environment E3 – Ammonia levels must be maintained at or below 10 ppm at bird head height, while the chicks are being brooded. E39 – With the exception of brooding (see standard E3) ammonia levels at bird head height must be maintained at or below 15 ppm. No standards for carbon dioxide.

Cages

Aus-NZ BCC	CODE OF WELFARE (MEAT CHICKENS)	PIANZ FREE-RANGE	SPCA CERTIFIED
No cages or multi-tier systems.	Not currently in use. This clause is to prevent these systems from being developed and used in future.

Slaughter

Aus-NZ BCC	CODE OF WELFARE (COMMERCIAL SLAUGHTER)	PIANZ FREE-RANGE	SPCA CERTIFIED
Adopt controlled atmosphere stunning using inert gas or multi-phase systems, or effective electrical stunning without live inversion.	The code of welfare for slaughter allows for both water-bath stunning (explicitly banned under BCC) and Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (allowed under BCC).  In practice, only water-bath stunning is used in New Zealand.	No mention of slaughter.	No mention of slaughter.

Compliance

Aus-NZ BCC	CODE OF WELFARE (MEAT CHICKENS)	PIANZ FREE-RANGE	SPCA CERTIFIED
Demonstrate compliance with the above standards via third-party auditing and annual public reporting on progress towards this commitment.	No requirement for auditing.**	Farms should regularly maintain and be audited to meet the core standards.**	“It is important that all SPCA Certified members clearly demonstrate product traceability throughout their supply chains. SPCA Certified also uses independent audits, including unannounced audits, to maintain the integrity of the scheme and ensure that participants are meeting its standards.”