Organic chicken is fed a chemical-free diet, but may still be treated with antibiotics if attacked by disease. Organic chicken feed is not treated with chemicals, but the cost of production is higher. Organic chickens can be caged or pastured, and not all pastured chickens are organic. “Free range” is falling out of use as a designation.
Organic chicken, sold as meat, is poultry fed a high-quality, chemical-free diet. In most parts of the world, chickens marketed as organic consume plant proteins, grains and grains along with a supplement or supplements containing essential vitamins and minerals. Some organic chickens also get fishmeal. Some hens labeled organic are fed diets that specifically do not allow genetically modified feeding.
In some countries, traditional chicken farmers regularly supply their flocks with growth promoters with antibiotics. Organic chicken farmers do not allow their flocks to ingest antibiotics; however, in some cases, organically raised chickens that are attacked by the disease can be treated with antibiotics and still be sold as organic by law.
Organic chicken feed is not treated with chemical applications to kill plant pests or diseases. This increases the cost of production for these types of foods and ultimately the cost of organic chicken. However, many consumers find that the higher price tag is worth it because meat is less likely to contribute to serious illnesses, such as cancer, in those who consume it.
Organic chickens can be caged or pastured. Many advocates of wholesome food and compassionate treatment of animals raised for meat frown on the crowded conditions on intensive farms. In these contexts, caged birds are given almost no room to move and are kept in low light and stressful conditions. Organic chickens are not fed the chemicals and antibiotics that non-organic chickens are fed to produce fat ready-to-slaughter hens in a shorter period of time, but they may be more likely to develop disease due to crowded conditions. The quality of their meat will also suffer.
Grazing chickens can run free. They seek out insects, seeds and game and are given supplemental food. They do not suffer from frequent illnesses; this means they are not treated with antibiotics. Not all pastured chickens are organic. Consumers who want only organic and pasture-raised poultry should confirm both.
One designation that is falling out of popular use is “free range.” Technically, in some areas, chickens can be marketed as free-range if only a few minutes of daily outdoor exposure are allowed. Like pastured chickens, those labeled free-range aren’t necessarily organic. In the case of both free-range and pasture-raised chickens, however, there is a greater likelihood that antibiotic use is limited or absent. Most farmers who raise birds outside of intensive methods are also more likely to feed their flocks with higher quality foods that are organic.
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