Raising your own organic meat chickens in your own backyard has many perks, one of which is that you get to decide what goes into them. Raising your own meat gives you control over how they're cared for, how they're raised, and which products you'll use or won't use.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of raising meat chickens or broilers as ethically & organically as possible.
“USDA-certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Organic producers rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically-based farming methods to the fullest extent possible.”
Make sure you follow USDA guidelines if you're planning on labeling your chickens as organic & sell them as such. You can make sure you're raising organic meat ethically once you've ticked all the boxes.
As soon as you purchase your fertilized eggs and your chicks hatch, your job as an organic chicken farmer begins. Most of the time it can be hard to tell if your eggs came from organic chickens. You'll only know if they're organic if they're from your own chickens.
Incubating from an unknown chicken gives you a free pass on eggs when you're first starting out. Most people order broilers, so they'll have to work with what they get. It's because breeding big meat birds is difficult.
You can raise and breed certain breeds of meat birds organically on your own.
Although birds designed for quick growth & large carcasses don't reproduce well, it is possible. The best choice for naturally reproducing meat chickens is a large heritage chicken breed or a version of the Ranger meat chicken breed.
There are three main factors to consider when raising chicks organically: cleanliness, feed & space. Raising organic chicks isn't that different from raising non-organic chicks, since they both need warmth and fresh water.
It may be argued that feeding medicated feed to chicks is not an organic method of raising chickens. On processing day, however, the "processed chicken" is usually free of all medications. By avoiding medicated feeds, chicks are at risk of contracting coccidia & dying.
When a chick is at its most vulnerable, medicated feeds are an excellent way to prevent coccidiosis.
At about three weeks of age, meat chickens are typically switched from chick starter feed to adult/grower feed. Before being processed for consumption, they will have been fed grower feed for a considerable period of time.
It may also be a good idea to feed your chicks organic chicken feed, scraps & fresh food as they grow.
Let your chickens spread their wings & behave like chickens by giving them plenty of space. To raise chickens organically, they should live as naturally as possible.
There are many chicken farmers using what's known as a "chicken tractor." A chicken tractor allows your foragers to have access to grit, bugs & free-range pastures safely. Most chicken tractors are lightweight enough for one person to move them. Fresh, clean grass is essential for chickens, so move them daily.
Chicken tractors also protect birds from predators and the elements. Plus, they get to go outside.
It is easy to see how much chickens enjoy the sun if you have ever moved them from an indoor coop to a sunny outdoor one. They'll take in the sun, stretch & lay down. You will soon realize how critical this type of environment is for the happiness of your chickens.
Your chickens are outside now. Make sure the pasture you're putting them on doesn't have herbicides or pesticides. Take note if your property borders a farm that uses pesticides and herbicides. Ensure that you have provided adequate space between the non-organic property & where your chickens will be housed.
You will need to determine the amount of space needed based on the type of chemical used, the amount of water flowing in the area, and even the typical wind drifts in the area.
Withholding treatment from a sick animal to keep it organic is unethical. It is therefore essential to maintain organized & strong care practices, carefully select animals, and monitor them in order to prevent the spread of diseases.
Cleaning schedules, rotational grazing plans, and a solid knowledge of common diseases and parasites will be required. Taking natural measures, as soon as possible, will be the best way to deal with them.
For an organic operation, these are some obvious things that should be avoided. When planning the care of your flock, you should also consider ethical practices & situations.
Make sure chickens have enough water, food, space & fresh air. Then they'll have less reason to peck at each other. Large commercial operations debeak their flocks for this reason.
Although some of these things aren't necessary for organic certification, I believe they're just as important. By respecting our chickens, we can appreciate their life, which provides us with nourishment.
Click here to see a complete list of USDA-approved practices for raising organic poultry.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of raising meat chickens or broilers as ethically & organically as possible.
What are Organic Meat Chickens?
Organic usually implies where the meat or product comes from and how well it has been cared for. In reality, organic can mean different things to different people. The USDA's organic definition isn't the only thing we're focusing on in this guide. We also focus on letting your chickens live the most natural life possible, along with all the benefits that the USDA definition provides:“USDA-certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Organic producers rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically-based farming methods to the fullest extent possible.”
Make sure you follow USDA guidelines if you're planning on labeling your chickens as organic & sell them as such. You can make sure you're raising organic meat ethically once you've ticked all the boxes.
Buying Organic Meat Chicken Eggs
As soon as you purchase your fertilized eggs and your chicks hatch, your job as an organic chicken farmer begins. Most of the time it can be hard to tell if your eggs came from organic chickens. You'll only know if they're organic if they're from your own chickens.
Incubating from an unknown chicken gives you a free pass on eggs when you're first starting out. Most people order broilers, so they'll have to work with what they get. It's because breeding big meat birds is difficult.
You can raise and breed certain breeds of meat birds organically on your own.
Breeds of Meat Chickens That Reproduce Readily
The Ranger chicken is the closest thing to the fast-growing Cornish Cross, aside from large breed heritage breeds like the Jersey Giant and Buff Orpington. Despite the fact that they may not lay eggs as frequently or as rapidly as heritage breeds, you can still obtain some eggs from them.Although birds designed for quick growth & large carcasses don't reproduce well, it is possible. The best choice for naturally reproducing meat chickens is a large heritage chicken breed or a version of the Ranger meat chicken breed.
Brooding Organic Chicks
There are three main factors to consider when raising chicks organically: cleanliness, feed & space. Raising organic chicks isn't that different from raising non-organic chicks, since they both need warmth and fresh water.
It may be argued that feeding medicated feed to chicks is not an organic method of raising chickens. On processing day, however, the "processed chicken" is usually free of all medications. By avoiding medicated feeds, chicks are at risk of contracting coccidia & dying.
When a chick is at its most vulnerable, medicated feeds are an excellent way to prevent coccidiosis.
At about three weeks of age, meat chickens are typically switched from chick starter feed to adult/grower feed. Before being processed for consumption, they will have been fed grower feed for a considerable period of time.
It may also be a good idea to feed your chicks organic chicken feed, scraps & fresh food as they grow.
Moving Chicks Outside
You should get your chicks into the grass as soon as they are old enough to move outdoors. Provide ample space for broiler chickens if you raise them. Stuffing a big flock into a small coop will only cause problems (e.g. fighting).Let your chickens spread their wings & behave like chickens by giving them plenty of space. To raise chickens organically, they should live as naturally as possible.
There are many chicken farmers using what's known as a "chicken tractor." A chicken tractor allows your foragers to have access to grit, bugs & free-range pastures safely. Most chicken tractors are lightweight enough for one person to move them. Fresh, clean grass is essential for chickens, so move them daily.
Chicken tractors also protect birds from predators and the elements. Plus, they get to go outside.
It is easy to see how much chickens enjoy the sun if you have ever moved them from an indoor coop to a sunny outdoor one. They'll take in the sun, stretch & lay down. You will soon realize how critical this type of environment is for the happiness of your chickens.
Avoid Pesticides & Herbicides
Your chickens are outside now. Make sure the pasture you're putting them on doesn't have herbicides or pesticides. Take note if your property borders a farm that uses pesticides and herbicides. Ensure that you have provided adequate space between the non-organic property & where your chickens will be housed.
You will need to determine the amount of space needed based on the type of chemical used, the amount of water flowing in the area, and even the typical wind drifts in the area.
Illness & Vaccinations
It is common for chicks to be vaccinated for common diseases such as Newcastle, Mareks, and other diseases as early as one or two days of age. It is always a good idea to check with the USDA before using any vaccination on your flock. The USDA prohibits the use of other medications unless the animal is ill.Withholding treatment from a sick animal to keep it organic is unethical. It is therefore essential to maintain organized & strong care practices, carefully select animals, and monitor them in order to prevent the spread of diseases.
Cleaning schedules, rotational grazing plans, and a solid knowledge of common diseases and parasites will be required. Taking natural measures, as soon as possible, will be the best way to deal with them.
Ethical Considerations
For an organic operation, these are some obvious things that should be avoided. When planning the care of your flock, you should also consider ethical practices & situations.
Debeaking
Debeaking is a non-negotiable matter. Even if it prevents them from pecking at each other, excessive beak trimming or removing a chicken's beak is inhumane. A chicken's beak is used for eating, preening, protecting itself, and communicating. Taking away their natural abilities would be unethical.Make sure chickens have enough water, food, space & fresh air. Then they'll have less reason to peck at each other. Large commercial operations debeak their flocks for this reason.
Space
To prevent unsanitary conditions, give chickens plenty of space. Plus, it gives them an opportunity to exercise and helps with the pecking order. In order to stay healthy, they require this.Conclusion
Chickens enjoy scratching for food in nature. Feeding them organic, non-gmo feed will provide them with all the essential vitamins & minerals that they need. Taking dust baths & sunbathing in the fresh air are among their favorite pastimes. Sadly, organically-labeled meat isn't as healthy as it seems. It does not always come from chickens that live a natural lifestyle.Although some of these things aren't necessary for organic certification, I believe they're just as important. By respecting our chickens, we can appreciate their life, which provides us with nourishment.
Click here to see a complete list of USDA-approved practices for raising organic poultry.
