|
Research shows that Canadians love chicken above all other meat.
They love its taste, its nutritional profile, its variety and
convenience. But Canadians are educated consumers and they want
to know what's in chicken. And rightly so. That's why we have
prepared this fact sheet.
|
Some
feed tidbits:
-
The make-up and amount of feed given to chicken is very
important to their growth cycle. In fact, it's a science.
Farmers are very careful about what they feed their flocks
at different times of their growth cycle. For example, if
the feed is too energy-rich and the birds grow too fast and
this can lead to growing problems.
-
A flock's feeding program also affects the quality of the
product sold to consumers. A well balanced feed program can
reduce the amount of fat on a chicken, for example.
-
Chicken feed usually comes in the form of crumbles. Crumbles
improve the digestibility of feed and ensure the uniformity
of the mix.
So what's in chicken feed, anyway?
-
The main ingredient of all chicken feed (88%) is grains and
grain by-products, protein-producing seeds, and meal made
from them such as canola or soybean meal. So all chickens
are essentially "grain-fed."
-
In much smaller quantities (around 10%), various other
protein sources such as meat and bone meal/vegetable fats,
are added to improve the nutritional content, taste and
texture of the feed.
-
In much, much smaller quantities (1.5%), mineral and vitamin
supplements are commonly added to prevent any nutrient
deficiencies.
-
There are no hormones in chicken feed. In Canada, the use of
hormones in chicken feed has been banned since the 1960s.
-
Chicken feed may also contain minute levels (less than 1 per
cent) of additives such as enzymes and antibiotics to
prevent disease and digestive problems. All of these
additives are subject to strict regulations and are used in
conjunction with good management, vaccination and hygiene
practices.
|
 |
|
How is regular chicken feed different from the feed
given to organic chickens? |
 |
Basically, organic feeds are the same as regular
feeds except that:
-
At least 80% of all the feed ingredients must come from
organic sources (i.e., products from farms that meet organic
farming standards set by the Canadian General Standards
Board, a government agency, and meet the requirements of a
reputable certification body).
-
All organic feed ingredients, such as vitamins, that are not
of 100% natural origin, must be approved by a certification
body.
|
|
Why are antibiotics used sometimes? |
As noted earlier, a strictly controlled amount of
antibacterial preparations may be included in chicken feed to
prevent disease. A preventive "micro-dose" eliminates the need
for larger doses, which would be required to treat animals that
get sick. However, farmers must observe a strict
withdrawal period to make sure that the antibiotic is fully
digested before the bird is ready for market.
| Who is responsible for the preparation and inspection of chicken
feed? |
Chicken feeds are mostly prepared in specialized feed mills.
They come under the jurisdiction of the Canada Feeds Act and are
subject to government inspections. There is no advantage to the
miller or to the farmer not to produce or use a quality feed.
Before it is put on the market chicken meat is checked for
quality, absence of disease and antibacterial residues. |
 |
|
