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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS:
Do farmers care about the well-being of the
animals as they are
being raised?
Yes. Producers go to great lengths to ensure the welfare of the
birds produced because it's the right thing to do. Chickens and
turkeys are treated in a humane manner that promotes the health
and well-being of the bird. Growers and processors know that a healthy,
well-handled bird produces a high-quality product for consumers.
The National Chicken Council and the National Turkey Federation
have developed animal welfare programs that are widely used by companies
in all aspects of the management of live birds, from the hatchery
to the processing plant. The programs were developed by industry
experts in close consultation with poultry scientists from leading
universities. The birds also receive veterinary care and inoculation
against diseases for which vaccines are available.
What kind of housing
are the birds provided?
Chickens and turkeys are raised in spacious, specialized structures
known as growout houses, with plenty of food and water from the
time they hatch until they reach market weight. Turkeys and
chickens being raised for their meat (broilers) are not kept in
cages but are allowed the run of the growing area. Birds raised
under "free-range" conditions are also given the run of
an outdoor pen.
Are the birds routinely
given hormones?
Chickens, turkeys and other poultry are NOT given steroids or hormones
to stimulate their growth or for any other purpose. It is illegal
to give any type of hormones or steroids to any type of poultry
in the United States. Any claim to the contrary is simply misinformed
or deliberately false.
How are they
fed and cared for?
Chickens and turkeys are fed carefully formulated diets that meet
their nutritional needs. Mechanical systems deliver feed and water
to birds. Environmental controls, including ventilation systems
and heaters, provide a comfortable and productive environment. Bedding
material, such as wood chips, rice hulls or peanut shells, is used
to absorb moisture. Farmers are increasingly using enclosed watering
systems to help keep the bedding dry.
Are the birds transported in a humane manner?
Yes. Birds are normally transported by semi-trailer trucks and moved
from farm to plant. Company personnel are required to handle the
birds in an appropriate manner during pickup and arrival at the
processing plant. Ventilation is provided by truck movement and
by fans in the holding area of processing plants. Holding time at
the plant is usually less than six hours.
Do the birds
suffer when they are taken into the processing plants?
The industry takes great care in handling birds in a way that produces
minimum stress for the animal. After arrival at the plant, birds
are anesthetized with a mild electrical current. This renders the
bird unconscious and insensible to pain. This is a well tested and
effective means of ensuring the process is both effective and humane.
What are the environmental
impacts associated with raising poultry?
It's important to recognize that protecting and ensuring the proper
use of our natural resources is
an important objective for the poultry industry. Farmers and companies
alike take seriously their responsibility to be good stewards of
the air, land and water.
Because of the intensive nature of modern chicken and turkey husbandry,
very little land is actually devoted to production. The biggest
potential impact is from the use of the bedding material used in
chicken and turkey production houses, known as litter. Litter is
rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and is recycled as an organic
fertilizer on farm fields. Careful management ensures that litter
is used in accordance with the nutritional needs of crops so that
nutrient enrichment of groundwater and surface water is eliminated
or minimized.
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