How the Better Chicken Commitment compares to standards in NZ

The Australia-New Zealand Better Chicken Commitment (Aus-NZ BCC) was developed by Animals Aotearoa, SPCA NZ, Compassion in World Farming and The Humane League. It is supported by 15 animal organisations, including Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa and World Animal Protection.

The table below compares the Aus-NZ BCC against New Zealand’s current minimum standards for chickens bred for meat, found in the Code of Welfare (Meat Chickens) and the Code of Welfare (Commercial Slaughter), alongside the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand’s free-range standards. There is no legal definition of free-range in New Zealand, so we have used the industry definition.

In addition, we have provided a comparison with SPCA Certified Standards for Meat Chickens 2023, and SPCA’s voluntary Welfare Plus+ Standard (currently not met by any producer in New Zealand). The Welfare Plus+ Standard is a bolt-on standard and exists in addition to the SPCA Certified Standards for Meat Chickens 2023.

The Codes of Welfare were drafted in 2012 and republished in 2018 without review. 

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 Standards for Meat Chickens 2023	SPCA Certified Welfare Plus+ Standards
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.	The maximum stocking density is 30kg/m2 (or less) and must be calculated based on the target live weight of the birds at slaughter. Thinning must be limited to one cut/thin per flock, excluding depopulation.

Breed

Aus-NZ BCC	Code of Welfare (Meat Chickens)	PIANZ Free-range	SPCA Certified Standards for Meat Chickens 2023	SPCA Certified Welfare Plus+ Standards
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.”	An approved SPCA Certified transition plan must be in place to adopt breeds thatdemonstrate higher welfare outcomes. Higher welfare breeds include 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 determined by SPCA New Zealand.

Light

Aus-NZ BCC	Code of Welfare (Meat Chickens)	PIANZ Free-range	SPCA Certified Standards for Meat Chickens 2023	SPCA Certified Welfare Plus+ Standards
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 ofeight hours of continuous light and a minimum of six hours of darkness in each 24-hourperiod. 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.	Chicks under five days of age must be provided with a minimum period of continuous darkness of at least two hours from placement. From day 5, birds must be provided with a minimum of eight hours of continuous lightand a minimum of seven hours of darkness in each 24-hour period, of which four hours ofdarkness must be continuous and occur at normal night time. An average light intensity of 50 lux, including natural light, must be provided. Where natural light cannot be provided at this time, an approved SPCA Certified transition plan must be in place.

Enrichments

Aus-NZ BCC	Code of Welfare (Meat Chickens)	PIANZ Free-range	SPCA Certified Standards for Meat Chickens 2023	SPCA Certified Welfare Plus+ Standards
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.	At least two pecking substrate/s per 1,000 birds must be provided.

Litter

Aus-NZ BCC	Code of Welfare (Meat Chickens)	PIANZ Free-range	SPCA Certified Standards for Meat Chickens 2023	SPCA Certified Welfare Plus+ Standards
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 Standards for Meat Chickens 2023	SPCA Certified Welfare Plus+ Standards
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.	With the exception of brooding, the concentration of ammonia must not exceed 15ppm and the concentration of carbon dioxide must not exceed 3000ppm at the level of the chickens’ heads, regardless of stocking density.

Cages

Aus-NZ BCC	Code of Welfare (Meat Chickens)	PIANZ Free-range	SPCA Certified Standards for Meat Chickens 2023	SPCA Certified Welfare Plus+ Standards
No cages or multi-tier systems.	Not currently in use. This clause is to prevent these systems from being developed and used in future.			The housing of meat chickens in cages or multi-tier systems is not permitted.

Slaughter

Aus-NZ BCC	Code of Welfare (Commercial Slaughter)(COMMERCIAL SLAUGHTER)	PIANZ Free-range	SPCA Certified Standards for Meat Chickens 2023	SPCA Certified Welfare Plus+ Standards
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 Aus-NZ BCC) and Controlled Atmospheric Stunning (allowed under Aus-NZ BCC). In practice, only water-bath stunning is used in New Zealand.	No mention of slaughter.	No mention of slaughter.	An approved SPCA Certified transition plan must be in place to move to controlled atmosphere stunning using inert gases or multi-phase systems, or effective electrical stunning without live inversion, as soon as this is available in New Zealand and is feasible. The transition plan should outline actions members will take to move towards meeting this standard, including lobbying the government and investing in, supporting relevant research and development of new stunning systems.

Compliance

Aus-NZ BCC	Code of Welfare (Meat Chickens)	PIANZ Free-range	SPCA Certified Standards for Meat Chickens 2023	SPCA Certified Welfare Plus+ Standards
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 importantthat 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.”	No additional requirements.