April 14, 2025
We supported the research on the frequency of a symptom of painful breeding of so-called broiler chickens.
We supported the research on the frequency of a symptom of painful breeding of so-called broiler chickens.
In 2024 and 2025, the Austrian Association Against Animal Factories (VGT) conducted research into the incidence of white striping in chicken breast fillets. We supported the association in preparing the content of the report “White Striping – Vorkommen der Myopathie bei österreichischen Masthühnern” (engl.: “White Striping - Incidence of myopathy in Austrian broiler chickens”) and provided them with veterinary expertise.
White striping is a change in the muscle tissue that mainly affects the breast muscles of so-called broiler chickens. The muscle tissue suffers from the growth, resulting in chronic necrotizing and inflammatory myopathy. The exact causes and pathological processes have not yet been conclusively clarified. Nevertheless, white striping is associated with the enormous and rapid growth of the animals. Presumably, among other things, the muscle tissue cannot be sufficiently supplied with oxygen under these conditions. This causes changes in the tissue that lead to the accumulation of fat and connective tissue. This is visible to the naked eye in the form of white stripes on the meat. The chest muscles are particularly affected.
The focus of studies carried out to date has been on investigating the effects on meat quality and consumer acceptance. The welfare of the chickens and the question of what consequences the changes have for the chickens themselves have remained largely unexamined.
However, it is clear that white striping is a symptom of extreme breeding. Selection for high and rapid growth causes enormous suffering and health impairments, such as white striping. In the VGT article (only in german), our colleague Sophie-Madlin Langner states: "White striping is a clear sign of the over-breeding of so-called broiler chickens. The degenerative changes are due to intensive breeding practices and extreme growth rates that the animals have to endure in the meat industry. This is a particularly worrying development that indicates that animal health is being put second to economic goals."
A total of 296 samples from various regions of Austria were analyzed. 91 percent of the meat samples from conventional farming were affected by white striping. In contrast, no white striping was found in 96 percent of the samples from organic farming conditions. The VGT concludes from the research results obtained that farming systems with fast-growing so-called broiler chickens have a higher incidence.
The figures are consistent with previous studies on the occurrence of white striping. Frequencies of around 90 percent of affected chickens were also no exception here.
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