Pastured Poultry Is A Humane Alternative
Pastured poultry refers to chickens that have not been caged, but rather has been allowed to hunt and peck for food. They eat bugs, grass, worms, and other natural food. Not only is this a better environment, but chickens and eggs that come from these animals are healthier. Another bonus is that because of the varied diet, pastured chickens taste better.
One thing to keep in mind when buying chicken or eggs is that there are many types of processes in the poultry market. The most common is the battery chicken. In this process the birds spend their entire lives in a cage with seven to ten others. The cages are layered and there are thousands of cages in the plant. The majority of eggs come from this method; however, in the last couple of decades people have become more interested in animal welfare and other procedures have flourished.
Another common processing method is cage-free processing. In this procedure the hens are not caged but rather roam around free. Of course, this does not always literally mean the chickens are free to roam wherever they like. Typically this method simply means the birds are housed in a barn with thousands of others. Still it is a more humane method and the birds have nests and perches.
A much less common method of producing poultry and eggs is called free range. This means the chicken has access to the outdoors at least part of the day. This could mean that they have an open door and can go in and out of a barn, eating natural sources such as grass and bugs. Since this is a broad definition though, this could also mean that the birds are let outside for a few minutes a day on a concrete slab.
Many people consider the pastured poultry method of producing chickens to be the most humane. The chickens have constant access to the outdoors and the ability to hunt and peck. They are usually still in a pen, protected from predators and, as needed, the weather. The pen is moved around the property so that they have access to fresh greenery and bugs.
Organic birds may be raised in any of these environments. The only requirement for organic poultry is that they can only have been fed organic food and cannot have received antibiotics or vaccines. Food is considered organic if it has been grown on land that has not been treated with pesticides or fertilizer within the last three years.
Considering all of these different descriptions and processing types it can be difficult for the consumer to make a decision about their purchase. Simply buying meat or eggs that are advertised as organic or free range may not mean that the chicken was treated humanely. Additionally, most pastured birds are raised by locally owned farmers and can be more expensive.
The truth is that each consumer has to decide what his priority is and how important it is to him that the bird be treated humanely. If so, he may want to consider pastured poultry. Not only are the birds raised in a better environment but he will also be supporting local growers.
One thing to keep in mind when buying chicken or eggs is that there are many types of processes in the poultry market. The most common is the battery chicken. In this process the birds spend their entire lives in a cage with seven to ten others. The cages are layered and there are thousands of cages in the plant. The majority of eggs come from this method; however, in the last couple of decades people have become more interested in animal welfare and other procedures have flourished.
Another common processing method is cage-free processing. In this procedure the hens are not caged but rather roam around free. Of course, this does not always literally mean the chickens are free to roam wherever they like. Typically this method simply means the birds are housed in a barn with thousands of others. Still it is a more humane method and the birds have nests and perches.
A much less common method of producing poultry and eggs is called free range. This means the chicken has access to the outdoors at least part of the day. This could mean that they have an open door and can go in and out of a barn, eating natural sources such as grass and bugs. Since this is a broad definition though, this could also mean that the birds are let outside for a few minutes a day on a concrete slab.
Many people consider the pastured poultry method of producing chickens to be the most humane. The chickens have constant access to the outdoors and the ability to hunt and peck. They are usually still in a pen, protected from predators and, as needed, the weather. The pen is moved around the property so that they have access to fresh greenery and bugs.
Organic birds may be raised in any of these environments. The only requirement for organic poultry is that they can only have been fed organic food and cannot have received antibiotics or vaccines. Food is considered organic if it has been grown on land that has not been treated with pesticides or fertilizer within the last three years.
Considering all of these different descriptions and processing types it can be difficult for the consumer to make a decision about their purchase. Simply buying meat or eggs that are advertised as organic or free range may not mean that the chicken was treated humanely. Additionally, most pastured birds are raised by locally owned farmers and can be more expensive.
The truth is that each consumer has to decide what his priority is and how important it is to him that the bird be treated humanely. If so, he may want to consider pastured poultry. Not only are the birds raised in a better environment but he will also be supporting local growers.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.whynotfarm.net for more helpful information about Pastured Poultry Versus Other Processes
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