Hidden TV 2 recordings from a chicken barn in North Jutland show chickens receiving only three hours of darkness per day, while Danish rules require six hours. The chickens are so-called turbo chickens of the Ross 308 breed, which grow faster than other chickens and in some cases become so fat they have difficulty walking, according to Politiken and Berlingske.
Less darkness means the chickens eat more and reach a higher slaughter weight, according to TV 2. Peter Sandøe, professor of bioethics at the University of Copenhagen, told TV 2: "The more hours of light, the more they eat. And the less rest they get. And the physiological pressure on them also increases. He added: "So of course that is not acceptable."
Jeppe Mouritzen, chairman of the poultry breeders in Landbrug & Fødevarer, denied to TV 2 that the images represent the general condition in Danish chicken barns. Figures from Fødevarestyrelsen show that about every third of the authority's inspection visits to chicken producers this year ended with a sanction, and five have been reported to the police.
Several parties in the Folketing want to ban the breeding of Ross 308 chickens in Denmark. A similar proposal was put forward in 2024 but did not achieve a majority.
Earlier coverage
- Denmark's turbo chicken case tests farm welfare law (28 Oct 2026)