Chicken’s 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 ground water source.
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 grain-fed!