Denmark political parties move toward ban on fast-growing chickens

A broad coalition of seven Danish political parties, including three government parties, is moving toward a ban on the production and import of fast-growing ‘turbo chickens’. The initiative, led by the Moderaterne party, aims to end extreme breeding practices that cause chickens to grow from 50 grams to 2 kilograms in just 33 days.

Animal welfare advocates, including Dyrenes Beskyttelse, have highlighted that this rapid growth leads to severe health issues, such as bone problems, heart failure, and an inability to carry the birds' own weight. While some retailers like REMA 1000 and nemlig.com have already transitioned to slower-growing breeds, the proposed legislation seeks to establish a concrete end date for extreme breeding across the industry.

The movement follows similar efforts in Norway, which is currently phasing out turbo chickens with a goal to end production by 2027. Supporters of the Danish ban, including the Conservative People's Party, are also calling for stricter regulations on import and increased space for poultry to improve overall welfare standards.