Sainsbury’s has said its move to reduce broiler stocking densities to 30kg per square metre has improved animal welfare. The retailer made the change in March 2023, moving to a stocking density 20% lower than the 38 kg per square metre required under Red Tractor standards.
Sainsbury’s said since then, broilers have displayed better overall health and welfare, with foot pad scores, hock scores and cleanliness scores all improved, and an average 29% improvement in common ailments, according to data gathered on farms supplying Sainsbury’s comparing March 2022-2023 compared to March 2023-2024.
The birds also appear more active and show more positive behaviours when provided with more space, with resting nine times more likely to be observed and preening nearly four times more likely to be observed, according to a study conducted by Bristol University.
Sainsbury’s said it was now working with Moy Park growers across a number of research and development projects. These projects include 24/7, 365 real-time monitoring of welfare on Sainsbury’s chicken farms using artificial intelligence (AI).
“We are currently undergoing trials with this technology with a view to obtain a comparison of bird behaviour and welfare pre- and post- our improved welfare standards. We also use thermal imaging as an indicator of welfare, to establish the effectiveness of feather cover as a welfare indicator among by Sainsbury’s chickens, and to help develop a methodology for the rapid assessment of this,” said Gavin Hodgson, director of agriculture at Sainsbury’s.
“Moving our stocking density was one of the most significant decisions Sainsbury’s has made in a decade since moving to 100% cage free eggs back in 2012.”