Hormones & Steroids

No chickens in Australia are fed or administered steroids or hormones in any way. This applies to all farming methods including conventional, organic, free range or Freedom Farmed. Testing conducted by the government confirms this fact on a regular basis. The question is often asked; how do the chickens grow so quickly if they're not given steroids?

There are many different breeds of chicken – some are fast growing breeds and others are slow growing breeds. The chickens that are used for meat production are naturally fast growing breeds that have been selectively bred for some 60 years. These improved genetics combined with good husbandry and precisely formulated nutritional requirements, means that meat chickens reach their optimal size quicker than another breed would.

Open Sided Barns

There are different types of barns used in chicken farming.

The "open sided barn" is the traditional style with wire mesh side openings, adjustable curtains or shutters to allow the farm manager to control the fresh air and sunlight streaming into the shed. The age of the chickens and weather conditions largely dictate the curtain/shutter management on the farms.

In unfavourable weather conditions, the curtains or shutters may be partly or fully closed to protect the chickens from outside elements. Fans in the barn may be used to supplement ventilation. In hot weather, in addition to natural air flow, ventilation fans and water misting/evaporative systems may also be used to cool the barn.

A small number of Freedom Farmed open sided barns may also use a combination of natural and mechanical ventilation as used in "tunnel barns".

Freedom Farms are exclusively reared in "open sided barns', where chickens are exposed to the natural elements, particularly sunlight, considered extremely important in the early development and welfare of the chickens.

Read more about the "Freedom Farms Barn".

Free Range

Free range chickens are produced using similar management, housing and feeding practices as normal conventionally farmed chickens. As well as the conventional barn, the chickens have access to an outdoor run for part of each day for a portion of the growing period. In the earlier stages of growing, the chickens are kept indoors to protect them from the elements. Free range systems have a lower stocking density than conventionally farmed chickens.

Organic

Organic chickens are grown generally in the same way as free range chickens with some additional requirements. Whilst all chickens, no matter the farming method are fed a grain based diet, organic chickens must be fed on predominantly certified organic ingredients. The use of vaccinations are also limited where possible and some more specific guidelines in relation to the outdoor area exist.

There is absolutely no difference between organic chickens and any other farming method including normal conventional chickens, in relation to the use of steroids or hormones. No chickens in Australia are fed or administered steroids or hormones in any way.

Conventional Farming

Despite common misconceptions, meat chickens are not kept in cages. Conventional farms have large open barns where the chickens can move about freely. The free movement of chickens in conventional barns can be extensive, as confirmed by the company's own research and documented in independent studies, such as the study reported by the British Poultry Science journal.*

There are also two different sorts of barns used in conventional farming: "closed or tunnel" barns and "open sided" barns, both of which provide the chickens with easy access to food and water and protect the chickens from the elements. All conventionally farmed chickens are fed a grain based diet with no added hormones or steroids.

*Source: (A.P Preston & L.B Murphy, 1989: Movement of broiler chickens reared in commercial conditions)

Closed/Tunnel Barns Barns

There are different types of barns used in chicken farming. The majority of the modern barns built today for conventionally farmed chickens are the "tunnel or closed" style of barn with solid walls and no opening to the outside elements. These modern barns have their environmental conditions controlled with fresh air drawn into the barn through cooling pads and fans and the temperature and humidity electronically controlled. Whilst this style of barn is common in Australia, Freedom Farms doesn't use any closed or tunnel barns in the farming of our chickens.