Co-op is facing a revolt by its members over its animal welfare standards, following an undercover investigation that revealed “frankenchickens” suffering on intensive farms in Lincolnshire. The footage shows deformed and injured chickens, many near death, as well as hundreds of dead birds being dumped into bins.
The investigation, conducted by animal welfare organisation Open Cages, fuels the intense conflict within Co-op over its sale of selectively bred fast-growing chickens. At the Co-op AGM in May, 96% of members voted for an end to the practice over animal welfare concerns but the board refused, with board chair Allan Leighton citing the cost of doing the right thing.
The investigation identified three farms in Lincolnshire supplying to Co-op, one of which is featured in a video produced by Co-op on its website and in the press. The video shows healthy-looking chickens in clean, spacious conditions, but the footage uncovered by Open Cages narrarated by Downton Abbey’s Peter Egan paints a different story.
Malformed birds can be seen flapping their wings in pain with severe deformities, illnesses and lameness, while untreated wounds and dead chickens are found in bins. This has caused outrage among some members, with Co-op member Aaron Browning saying: “Watching the undercover footage, seeing the bins overflowing with dead chickens, looking at the birds’ twisted legs and bleary eyes – it makes me ashamed to be a member.”
Over 350 businesses in the UK and EU have committed to the Better Chicken Commitment, which prohibits the sale of frankenchickens, including major food companies like KFC, Nando’s, Greggs, Marks and Spencer, and Waitrose.
Connor Jackson, CEO & Co-founder of Open Cages, said: “Co-op’s loyal members and customers are being fed a deceptive and misleading fairy tale. These images prove that behind the carefully polished, “ethical” image we all know, sick Frankenchickens are being condemned to lives of unnecessary pain, misery and stress on intensive mega farms. These birds simply grow too fast to lead any sort of decent life.”
Co-op members and animal welfare organisations have been trying to convince Co-op’s decision makers to address the issue but have been met with refusal. Around 97% of chicken sold in Co-op is produced through fast-growing breeds, which can cause a wide range of health and welfare issues including heart attacks, organ failure, lameness, bone deformities, muscle diseases and burns.
An investigation conducted by animal welfare organisation Open Cages has uncovered “frankenchickens” suffering on intensive farms in Lincolnshire that supply Co-op. Malformed and injured birds, many near death, as well as hundreds of dead birds being dumped into bins, were found on three farms in the area.
The footage fuels an intense conflict within Co-op over its sale of selectively bred fast-growing chickens, which 96% of members voted to stop selling at the AGM in May over animal welfare concerns. Despite this, the board refused, citing the cost of doing the right thing.
The investigation identified a farm featured in a video produced by Co-op on its website and in the press, which showed healthy-looking chickens in clean, spacious conditions. However, footage narrated by Downton Abbey’s Peter Egan reveals a different and disturbing story.
Malformed birds can be seen flapping their wings in pain with severe deformities, illnesses and lameness, while untreated wounds and dead chickens are found in bins. This has caused outrage among some members, with Co-op member Aaron Browning saying: “Watching the undercover footage, seeing the bins overflowing with dead chickens, looking at the birds’ twisted legs and bleary eyes – it makes me ashamed to be a member.”
The sale of fast-growing “frankenchickens” has been prohibited by over 350 businesses in the UK and EU, including major food companies like KFC, Nando’s, Greggs, Marks and Spencer, and Waitrose.
Connor Jackson, CEO & Co-founder of Open Cages, said: “Co-op’s loyal members and customers are being fed a deceptive and misleading fairy tale. These images prove that behind the carefully polished, “ethical” image we all know, sick Frankenchickens are being condemned to lives of unnecessary pain, misery and stress on intensive mega farms. These birds simply grow too fast to lead any sort of decent life.”
Co-op members and animal welfare organisations have been trying to convince Co-op’s decision makers to address the issue but have been met with refusal. Around 97% of
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