The Humane League
International animal protection organisation, founded in 2005 in the US. Its corporate campaigns have driven numerous Better Chicken Commitment signings worldwide.
↗ thehumaneleague.orgRoss 308: bred to suffer.The Swiss industry standard.
Over 90% of broilers raised in Switzerland are fast-growing breeds like Ross 308. Four in five can no longer walk normally on the day they are slaughtered. A120 holds the companies behind this to account.
§01Facts
«Young chickens that can barely stay on their feet, flailing helplessly on their backs in the litter.»
Ross 308 — the industry standard
This is no isolated case: over 90% of broilers raised in Switzerland are fast-growing breeds.
In 35 days, chicks reach 2.5-kilo slaughter weight. Their bones, hearts and lungs are not built for that speed. Less than one fifth of the birds can still walk normally on slaughter day.
01Gait disorders at slaughter
>80%
Ross 308 broilers in week six (Baxter et al. 2021, PLOS ONE).
02Fast-growing breeds
>90%
Share of broilers raised in Switzerland.
03Chickens slaughtered per year
80M
In Switzerland: more than two per second.
Since you've been here
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Chickens slaughtered in Switzerland: counting in real time.
Media coverage
Complaint filed with the FSVO — pending
The Observatoire du spécisme and Tier im Fokus have filed a complaint with the FSVO against the use of Ross 308: alleged violation of the ban on torture breeding (Art. 10 of the Swiss Animal Welfare Act). Among the evidence: footage from a Swiss broiler farm.
↗ Background · Observatoire article (DE)§02Demand
Our demand: the Better Chicken Commitment.
The Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) is an international standard for the breeding, rearing and slaughter of broiler chickens. We demand that the companies we target sign it.
Phase out fast-growing breeds. Switch to slower-growing breed lines: no Ross 308 or comparable lines.
Lower-stress stunning before slaughter. Controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS) instead of live shackling.
Binding husbandry standards. At least 50 lux of natural light, litter, perches, enrichment material, above the legal minimum.
Transparent audits. Public progress reporting according to BCC criteria.
Compliance with animal welfare law. Follow applicable animal welfare law. Everywhere, without exception.
Keep stocking density low. 30 kg/m², no repeated thinning.
The BCC is a proven, economically viable standard — within reach for any company that has the will to do it.
Europe — 380+ companies have signed
Carrefour, Lidl Germany, Albert Heijn, Nestlé: all have committed to the Better Chicken Commitment. Switzerland's retailers are the holdouts.
Norway — no price premium, falling mortality
Starting in 2017, Norsk Kylling converted around 14 million birds to a BCC-compliant breed. Result: ~40 % less on-farm mortality, significantly less antibiotic use, rising farmer incomes. And no price premium at retail. Norway is now phasing out Ross 308 industry-wide by the end of 2027.
§03Campaigns
Any company that relies on fast-growing breeds like Ross 308 risks becoming our next target. We keep the pressure on until the BCC is signed. Migros is only the beginning.
§04Join us
A120 is young and growing fast. Every extra person adds to the pressure, on the streets and online.
§05About A120
A120 is a Swiss action alliance, founded in May 2026. We take our name from Art. 120 of the Federal Constitution, which enshrines the dignity of living beings in Swiss law.
We confront companies publicly with what animals endure in factory farming, and demand binding improvements.
Founding members
- Gabriel Salwey
- Isaia Gisler
- Lucien Schläpfer
- Roberta Davico
- Deivydas Zubavicius
Partners
Open Wing Alliance
Global coalition of more than 90 animal protection organisations across six continents. Coordinates international corporate campaigns for better animal welfare standards in the poultry industry.
↗ openwingalliance.org§06Press
Press release · Migros campaign · 17.07.2026 · EN
Protest at Migros Stadelhofen
Full press release as PDF.
→ Download PDF