Cross-sectional studyindependent cross-checkabstract checked I-CHK-109 standard review
Antibiotic-free chickens still get woody breast
Research note: Influence of growing systems (conventional, organic, raised-without-antibiotics) on myopathies of broiler breast fillets.
Overview
Barbut S et al.. Poult Sci 2026 · PMID 42096902 · DOI 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106997
Woody breast and related defects occurred in conventional, antibiotic-free and organic broilers; heavier fillets were more affected.
Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Does the production system (conventional, raised without antibiotics, organic) affect breast myopathies?
- How was the study done?
Observational comparison of production systems within one fast-growing genotype over two years
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
not stated in abstract
- What was actually found?
WS: no difference between conventional and RWA (about 85% with noticeable WS); organic similar. Severe WB more prevalent in RWA birds in 2024; in 2025 both organic and RWA had lower severe WB than conventional. SM severity consistently greater in RWA than conventional. Fillet weight strongly associated with myopathy severity in all systems.
- How large was the observed effect?
WS: no difference between conventional and RWA (about 85% with noticeable WS); organic similar. Severe WB more prevalent in RWA birds in 2024; in 2025 both organic and RWA had lower severe WB than conventional. SM severity consistently greater in RWA than conventional. Fillet weight strongly associated with myopathy severity in all systems.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
The problem follows fast growth, not antibiotic use.
- What are the study's limitations?
Sample size not in abstract; Inconsistent results between years; Research note
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Confirms the 'wood-like' breast; limits the attribution to antibiotics.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Production systems similar to EU ones.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot rank systems reliably (inconsistent between years).
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Barbut S et al.
- Journal
- Poult Sci
- Year
- 2026
- Identifier
- PMID 42096902 DOI 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106997
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-26; Crossref 2026-10-26
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract
2. Research question
Does the production system (conventional, raised without antibiotics, organic) affect breast myopathies?
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study – Observational comparison of production systems within one fast-growing genotype over two years
- Population
Fast-growing broilers from three production systems
- Country
Canada (presumed; not stated in abstract)
- Period
2024-2025
- Sample size
not stated in abstract
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
as described in the abstract
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Raised-without-antibiotics (RWA) and organic systems
- Comparator
Conventional system
- Endpoints
White striping, woody breast, spaghetti meat severity
- Statistical methods
as reported in the abstract
5. Actual results
- Results
WS: no difference between conventional and RWA (about 85% with noticeable WS); organic similar. Severe WB more prevalent in RWA birds in 2024; in 2025 both organic and RWA had lower severe WB than conventional. SM severity consistently greater in RWA than conventional. Fillet weight strongly associated with myopathy severity in all systems.
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Production system influenced WB and SM but not WS; heavier fillets consistently had more severe myopathies.
6. Strengths
- Same genotype across systems
- Two production years
7. Weaknesses
- Sample size not in abstract
- Inconsistent results between years
- Research note
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- ROBINS-E
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Observational; confounding by system-specific management.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
No consistent reduction of myopathies when antibiotics were not used; growth (fillet weight) is the consistent factor.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Tests whether antibiotic-free production avoids woody breast.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
13. Overall methodological judgement
Woody breast and related defects occurred in conventional, antibiotic-free and organic broilers; heavier fillets were more affected.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | unknown |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | mixed |
| Regional transferability | moderate |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
15. Linked fact checks
- Because of intensive production, modern chicken breast has become 'like wood' (woody breast). – Studies with mixed or unclear results