Denmark minister seeks ban on turbo chickens

Denmark's animal welfare minister said Wednesday that he wants to pursue a ban on farming fast-growing “turbo chickens”, first nationally and eventually across the European Union.

Christian Rabjerg Madsen told broadcaster TV2 that a national ban would have to be examined from legal and economic standpoints before Denmark could move forward. He said Denmark was also working toward an EU-level ban.

The comments followed TV2 footage filmed with a hidden camera at one of Denmark's largest chicken producers. The broadcaster showed chickens receiving only three hours of darkness per day, while regulations require at least six hours. Fewer hours of darkness means the birds eat more and reach a higher slaughter weight.

Rabjerg Madsen said the images did not reflect the level of animal welfare he wanted to see. He also said one in three inspections in Denmark resulted in a sanction, showing what he called general problems with animal welfare.

One popular commercial broiler breed raised for meat reaches full weight in five weeks, compared with 12 weeks for popular breeds allowed to roam pastures. A 2025 report by the Danish Veterinary and Food Authority found that using slower-growing chickens was linked to better animal welfare.

Neighbouring Norway has no current restrictions, but under pressure from retailers the country has committed to phasing out turbo chicken breeds by the end of 2027.