The Truth about Meat Chickens
Do you know that meat chickens/Broilers are considered a hybrid? You are thinking of a hybrid car aren’t you? Or Dr. Frankenstein sewing together parts to make his legendary monster! It really isn’t that crazy scary. In the 1940’s they discovered that if you cross a Cornish and a White Rock chicken (two different breeds) that they grew faster, matured fuller and processed into great looking table birds. These fast-growing birds cut down production time and helped feed the American population as it shifted to life in town. Like everything else in this world we have to give it a label so it was considered a hybrid (cross between to breeds).
Now I am telling you this because consumers are always concerned that hormones are given to the birds to kick growth into overdrive! And some farms have used this as a selling point, you have seen them! “no hormones” “no antibiotics”, the reality is NOBODY uses hormones or antibiotics to raise chickens. There isn’t a need to increase expenses when you have the genetic combination to do it in 6-8 weeks.
It is kind of like the Liger, have you seen this thing? They crossed a lion and tiger resulting in a 750 LB cat! Nothing but the genetics in the hybrid cross to turn that thing into something in my nightmares! Sorry, kitty fans but I am definitely a dog person.
So then, what sets our chickens apart from the rest of the flock? How they are raised! Commercial farms are packed in a building of 10,000 birds with ventilation and automation to ensure survival. I am not one to knock others’ farming techniques and the reality is these farms have kept millions of tummies full, including mine. However, ours are raised on green grass, under blue skies! Did thoughts of Laura Ingalls come to mind? It really is that simple. With healthier, natural living conditions the birds thrive. Resulting in healthier birds, healthier meals, and flavor that only Mrs. Ingalls could prepare.
There are organizations that say you can only raise pastured birds in chicken tractors, they are easier to move. It is also believed that if given the choice they will not use the pasture but hang out by the “buffet” of feed. This can be true, it all depends on how you raise them and the daily routines that encourage them to behave like chickens. Years ago, facing a problem with show birds our poultry mentor told us to teach them how to be a chicken, at the time I thought it was funny but after years of experience I agree that it is the responsibility of the farmer to provide living conditions that encourages them to exercise and live naturally, which is what we do!
So if you are concerned about your food, make sure you know YOUR farmer what they stand for and how they operate. Making things sound to good to be true or telling consumers what they want to hear is not a benefit to anyone, customer or Farmers. As for us, just send us a message or stop by to chat about our poultry, we simply raise healthy chickens!
