Chickens are raised in large climate-controlled barns that are equipped with drip water lines and feed dispensers. The food and water are available 24/7 and the chickens are able to eat and drink as much as they need when they need it. The water is clean, safe and free from contaminants and often from a well or other groundwater source.
Chickens are omnivores, which means that they eat both plant and animal food sources. Chickens are fed a mixture of various grains, oilseeds and grain by-products like canola or soybean meal which is leftover from vegetable oil processing. Other protein sources can include bone meal and vegetable fats. These components are blended together with vitamins and minerals under the guidance of an animal nutritionist to provide a healthy balanced diet for the birds and to ensure the feed is properly utilized and nothing is going to waste. Common ingredients include wheat, corn, canola and soybeans.
Although some chicken meat is labeled as ‘grain-fed’, ALL chicken available in Canada is fed grain!
DYK: No chickens, turkeys or egg laying hens in Canada are ever fed hormones. They’ve actually been banned here for over 50 years.
Some farms raise chickens on a “raised without antibiotics” feed program. Feed suppliers work with the processor to develop a ration which meets all the criteria for raising chickens without antibiotics. But farms in Canada can use antibiotics if it’s been prescribed by a veterinarian for health issues.
The feed is analyzed for proper nutrition for the chickens to be raised properly. In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency bans the use of hormones or growth promotants in chicken feed.
On most farms, “broiler” chickens are ready to be marketed at about 35 to 36 days of age, when they weigh about two kilograms. These will be available in supermarkets or used for foodservice in restaurants. While on other farms, larger “roasters” are ready to market between 45 and 55 days and will weigh between three to five kilograms.
Should I be concerned about antibiotics in my food?
In Canada, food is tested for antibiotics to ensure it is safe to eat. Canada follows strict regulations regarding withdrawal periods which is the amount of time between when an animal is last treated with antibiotics and when it is ready to be marketed. This ensures that the animal is free of antibiotic residue before any product from the animal is sold as food.
Sources: Canadian Food Focus, Agriculture In The Classroom, FarmFood360, and RealDirtonFarming