Modern meat chickens are grown in large, climate-controlled sheds that house approximately 20,000 to 50,000 meat chickens each. These sheds have bedding (sawdust, rice hulls, or wood shavings, usually) on the floor. Some farms may also provide their birds with access to free range areas once the birds have sufficient feather coverage (at 3-4 weeks old). All Australian chicken meat farms must meet animal welfare and food safety codes, including undergoing third party audits.

The Australian chicken meat (or 'broiler') industry operates on contracts between large, vertically integrated companies called processors, and farmers or growers. The processors generally own and operate breeder farms, hatcheries, feed mills, and processing plants, and will provide growers with day-old chicks, feed supplies, medication, technical advice, and chicken pick-up crews and transport. The grower then provides the land, labour, management, shedding, equipment and bedding material used to raise the birds.