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TRACKS Investigations documented the suffering of fast-growing chickens on British farms supplying major UK supermarkets. Released by The Humane League UK in November 2026, the footage reveals birds struggling to stand, painful skin burns and dead chickens lying among the living.
Known as “Frankenchickens”, these birds have been selectively bred to grow exceptionally quickly, leaving their bodies struggling to support their own weight. The findings challenge supermarket claims that these breeds can be “higher welfare”, “happier” and “healthier”. They are now supporting The Humane League UK’s campaign calling on supermarkets to stop selling fast-growing breeds.
Investigating Britain’s Chicken Farms
TRACKS supported The Humane League UK in undertaking its first investigation in the United Kingdom, guiding the organisation through the investigative process and carrying out research and undercover fieldwork.
Filming across five counties at farms linked to three major poultry producers supplying UK supermarkets, investigators documented chickens struggling to walk or unable to stand, painful skin burns and dead and decomposing birds lying among the living. Farm records helped confirm flock ages and producer links.
At one farm, we filmed the same flock at three days and again at 37 days. In little more than a month, tiny chicks had become heavily muscled birds approaching slaughter weight, with severe lameness, splayed legs and skin burns. Elsewhere, mobility problems were evident in chicks just ten days old, while records at another farm showed more than 1,000 deaths by around five weeks of age.
The footage exposes the consequences of breeding chickens to grow so large, so quickly. Giving birds more space cannot resolve the underlying problems when their own bodies leave them struggling to move.
Evidence Supporting Campaign Action
The Humane League UK is using the investigation in its campaign urging supermarkets and other food companies to move to slower-growing breeds.
Through its investigation film, supporter communications, social media and public petition, the organisation is bringing the evidence directly to shoppers and challenging the welfare claims used to sell chicken.
By helping The Humane League UK undertake its first UK investigation, TRACKS brought specialist experience to a new strand of its campaigning. Our research, undercover filming and documentation provided the evidence it is now using to challenge supermarket welfare claims and press for an end to fast-growing breeds.
Watch the investigation film and support The Humane League UK’s campaign.
Tracks Investigations has undertaken over 300 investigative film projects supporting over 40 animal protection NGOs since its inception in 2006. Learn more about how you can work with us here. To support our investigative work for animals, click here.