Animal welfare groups lose court challenge over ‘Frankenchickens’

Campaigners say billions of fast-growing birds will be left to suffer as judge rejects claims animal welfare rules are being breached

Animal welfare campaigners have said billions of chickens have been left to lead “utterly miserable lives” after the failure of a high court challenge to the legality of fast-growing breeds, which suffer a multitude of health problems.

The Humane League UK (THL), represented by Advocates for Animals, argued that the environment secretary, Thérèse Coffey, had erred in law by permitting farmers in England to keep so-called “Frankenchickens”, which reach their slaughter weight of approximately 2.2kg in 34 to 36 days.