We all know about organic fruit and vegetables but did you know that you can now buy organic chicken?
On Soil Association registered farms, the number of chickens housed in a single shed is restricted to 1,000. Organic birds are kept free-range, having continuous daytime access to clean pasture, except in adverse weather.
In addition, the Soil Association insists on clear and full labeling of processed chicken products. They are able to trace back to the farm all ingredients used in any Soil Association chicken products. Their organic certification standards state that food must undergo as little processing as is practical.
Organic farmers do a number of things to ensure that chickens are reared as naturally as possible. To be fully organic, chickens must be fed a diet containing grain that has been grown organically, without artificial fertilisers or sprays. Such feed is expensive, and therefore organic chicken is more expensive.
People must have heard about the nasty conditions which broiler chickens – which are bred for their meat – are raised in? These chickens have no more floor space than a sheet of A4 paper. Chickens are over-fed to reach slaughter weight in six weeks, when it would normally take four months.
Organic farmers do a number of things to ensure that chickens are reared as naturally as possible. To be fully organic, chickens must be fed a diet containing grain that has been grown organically, without artificial fertilisers or sprays. Such feed is expensive, and therefore organic chicken is more expensive.
Organic standards are legally binding. All organic businesses must be licensed by law and are fully inspected at least once a year. If you want to see for yourself how organic animals are reared, why not visit an organic farm?
Modem intensive systems of poultry production have produced cheap meat for the consumer – but at a price. Inside the intensive chicken houses, which are appearing in increasing numbers in the countryside, up to 40,000 birds are crammed, at 2 birds to the square foot, into a single windowless building, with almost continuous low levels of artificial light, they are then given drugs to speed up their rate of growth.
If you want to see for yourself how organic animals are reared, why not visit an organic farm?