Most of us didn’t grow up on a chicken farm and could easily be confused about how chickens are raised. And some information that’s being shared is just straight fiction. Let’s tackle some common myths and misunderstandings surrounding how chickens are raised.
ANTIBIOTIC
FICTION:
Some producers feed chickens with antibiotics that could be passed along to consumers.
FACT:
It’s a federal law that chickens must be completely clear of antibiotics before they leave the farm. No chicken you buy in the grocery store or consume at a restaurant contains antibiotics.
HORMONE
FICTION:
Some chickens are injected with hormones or steroids to help them grow faster.
FACT:
No chicken is given hormones or steroids. Hormone or steroid use in chickens has been banned by federal law in the U.S. since the 1950s.
GMO
FICTION:
Some chickens are genetically altered to be larger or more appealing to consumers.
FACT:
There’s no such thing as a GMO chicken. Chickens today might be larger, but that can be attributed to a closely monitored traditional breeding process that makes chickens stronger and healthier than ever before.
FARM
FICTION:
Big corporations are killing family farms.
FACT:
At Wayne Farms, we rely on family farms for our products. We have no “factory” farms and instead partner with local, hard-working multi-generational family farms.
CAGE
FICTION:
Most chickens are raised in cages.
FACT:
Most chickens (and all of them at Wayne Farms) are raised in spacious, climate-controlled houses where they are free to move about as they please.
DIET
FICTION:
Vegetarian diets are best for chickens.
FACT:
Chickens are omnivores and require a diverse range of nutrients to thrive. Chickens fed a vegetarian diet aren’t eating animal-based protein sources and rely on grain-based proteins to maintain optimal health.
