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This is a modern chicken. The chickens that end up on
most dinner tables today
have been carefully selected
and bred to produce birds
that will best thrive in today's
modern poultry facilities. As a
result, these birds are a much
healthier and faster-growing
stock than the chickens of a
few years ago. And contrary
to some myths,
growth-enhancing additives
such as hormones or steroids
are never used. |
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This is what a modern chicken looks like. With better breeding and better living conditions, today's chicken benefit from modern technology, advances in nutrition, protection from predators and disease, 24-hour access to clean water and feed, adequate room to grow and
move about, and professional veterinary attention. |
 Demand the Truth. Know the Facts.  | ||
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We invite you to look inside America's dynamic poultry industry. From the hatchery to the farm, chickens and turkeys follow quite a journey as they feed the demands of a hungry world. The poultry industry is well-recognized for its leadership in addressing the world demand for food that is safe, rich in healthy protein and affordable. Through research and innovation, the industry will continue to be at the forefront of advances in food production, and all the while, preserving the heritage of the family farm and contributing to a healthier planet. The American consumer - along with the rest of the world - deserves nothing less.
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 What the Cluck?  | ||
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE POULTRY INDUSTRY?
DO YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE REAL WAY CHICKENS ARE TREATED ON POULTRY FARMS?
One of the most common, and frustrating questions for U.S. poultry producers is why hormones are used to grow birds bigger and faster. Of course, the actual simple answer is NO hormones are used.
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Antibiotic use in poultry production has been extremely effective in enhancing bird health. To help provide answers to how and why antibiotics are used in the poultry industry, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) has created a series of six short videos. The series is called Poultry Insight and provides information about antibiotic resistance, antibiotic residues, why and when antibiotics are used, who regulates antibiotic use, and what would happen if the poultry industry stopped using antibiotics.
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Thanks to a combination of selective breeding and rearing practices, most of today's chickens raised for meat (commonly known as "broiler" chickens) are a much healthier and faster-growing stock than the chickens of a few years ago. In fact, back in the early days of the commercial poultry industry, each chicken required approximately 16 pounds of feed to achieve a four-pound weight. Today, that amount of feed has been reduced by more than half – less than seven pounds of feed – to grow
the same size bird, all without the use of growth hormones or steroids. These tremendous advances in genetics and feed
efficiency also contribute to a better environment for us all.
These chickens are raised in large, spacious barns. These barns are sophisticated, secure facilities with strictly controlled temperature, humidity and ventilation systems inside – which provide vital protection from the outdoor elements, disease and predators. Inside the poultry barns, the chickens are free to walk and bed down on the litter. These chickens are fed a wholesome diet consisting of grains like corn and soybeans – along with nutritional supplements such as vitamins and minerals. Contrary to some myths, growth-enhancing additives such as hormones or steroids are never used. Today, family farmers own and operate the majority of the poultry farms in the United States. The top priority of these farmers is to raise healthy, top quality chickens using national animal welfare guidelines and audit checklists. These guidelines cover every phase of the chicken's life and offers science-based recommendations for humane treatment. 18%  3.7%: If we went back to raising chickens the way we did in 1925, chickens' mortality rate would increase 490%, and the poultry industry's environmental footprint would be increased three-fold. More info here. © 2013 U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. All rights reserved.  | ||
