The North Jutland footage and the Ross 308 breed
Christian Tvergaard admitted he made wrong decisions after a TV2 documentary showed secret footage from a North Jutland chicken coop. The footage showed Tvergaard gave chickens only half the required darkness per day to encourage them to eat more. This practice violates Danish law. The Ross 308 breed, which is the most common in Danish poultry production, grows from 50 grams to 2kg in just 33 days. Such rapid growth leads to problems with the animal’s bones and organs. Other breeds require more time, typically between 46 and 63 days, to reach the same weight. Tvergaard tightened his lighting program and stable workflows after the report. He said he has already corrected his procedures and roster. He told TV2, "I look inward and must admit that I have made some wrong decisions." "There is no excuse for that, but I can learn from it and correct where I have not done well enough."
Political momentum and industry warnings
Christian Rabjerg Madsen, the minister for nature and animal welfare, says he wants a national ban and an EU-wide ban. He told the broadcaster that the issue needs investigation both legally and economically. He also discouraged Danes from buying turbo chickens.
| Breed type | Growth period to 2kg |
|---|---|
| Ross 308 | 33 days |
| Other breeds | 46 to 63 days |
| Organic breeds | 56 days |
Klement Hinkbol Ribergaard, the chief executive of Danpo, says that if Denmark alone bans the production of fast-growing chickens while consumers in the Danish market can continue to buy imported, fast-growing chicken of questionable quality, animal welfare will not benefit. Reineke Hameleers, the chief executive of Eurogroup for Animals, says that 95% of chickens in the EU are raised in intensive systems to produce the cheapest meat possible, which creates a race to the bottom. "Fast-growing breeds are inherently predisposed to suffering, with their bodies growing so quickly they can barely stand on their legs," Hameleers said. Britta Riis, the chief executive of Animal Protection Denmark, says that turbo chickens are the result of a deeply unethical and grotesque form of breeding that leads to systematic abuse and considerable suffering for the birds. The organization demands that all chickens be bred for 56 days to match organic standards. Animal welfare issues have dominated recent Danish public debate. This includes the pig election and the decision to stop mink farming by August 2029 after the government decided not to seek an EU exemption.
