These so-called «Frankenchickens» go from chick to 2.5-kilo slaughter weight in 35 days — a speed their bones, hearts and lungs are not built for. Less than one fifth of the birds can still walk normally on slaughter day. Migros advertises Swiss origin and animal-friendly husbandry.
Sources: NZZ 2024 · Migros Tierwohl-Policy 2025 · Baxter et al. 2021
«Young chickens that can barely stay on their feet, flailing helplessly on their backs in the litter.» That is how footage from a Micarna farm (Migros) documents the condition of the animals. The Observatoire du spécisme and Tier im Fokus have therefore filed a criminal complaint with the FSVO — alleged violation of the ban on torture breeding (Art. 10 of the Swiss Animal Welfare Act).
↗ Background · Observatoire article (DE)Specifically, that means — binding for all of Migros' own brands:
Exit from 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 ECC criteria.
Compliance with animal welfare law. Follow applicable animal welfare law — everywhere, without exception.
Keep stocking density low. 30 kg/m², no repeated thinning.
In March 2026, Migros announced a switch of its Optigal brand to slower-growing breeds.
But:
Carrefour, Lidl Germany, Albert Heijn, Nestlé — all have committed to the European Chicken Commitment. Switzerland's retailers are the holdouts.
Starting in 2017, Norsk Kylling converted around 14 million birds to an ECC-compliant breed. Result: ~40 % less on-farm mortality, significantly less antibiotic use, rising farmer incomes — with no price premium at retail. Norway is now phasing out Ross 308 industry-wide by end of 2027.
A120 is a Swiss action alliance, founded in May 2026. We take our name from Art. 120 of the Federal Constitution, in which the dignity of the creature is anchored in Swiss law.
We work to bring internationally established animal welfare standards into Swiss retail. First campaign: the demand that Migros sign the European Chicken Commitment.
International animal protection organization, founded in 2005 in the US. Over 220 companies worldwide have signed the Better Chicken Commitment, many of them following campaigns by THL and partner organizations.
↗ thehumaneleague.orgGlobal coalition of more than 90 animal protection organizations across six continents. Coordinates international corporate campaigns for better animal welfare standards in the poultry industry.
↗ openwingalliance.orgFull press release as PDF.
→ Download PDFEnglish version · coming soon
High-resolution photos and videos from the action in Basel and Zurich.
↗ Google Drive