Organic chicken is a legally protected definition with a particular set of criteria when it comes to rearing and slaughtering chickens for meat across the UK.
For farms and brands looking to obtain certification, this must be paid for and approved by one of several DEFRA-approved control bodies. These include:
- Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G)
- Biodynamic Association
- Irish Organic Association (for NI producers)
Organic chickens are fed on 100% organic feed. This means throughout its entire lifetime, an organic chicken will only eat food free of GMOs, hormonal growth boosters and synthetic amino acids.
Organic chickens must be reared free frange with continous access to outdoor pasture for at least one third of their life in addition to having sufficient indoor space to roam.
In the UK, standard broiler chickens are slaughtered at 35 days and free range chickens are slaughtered at 56 days. Organic chickens are slaughteed between 70 and 81 days in order to allow the birds to grow naturally and slowly.
An organic chicken farm entails that the animals are treated humanely with natural light, and that they have access to perches and bedding.
One defining characteristic of organic chicken farming is that routine antibiotic use is strictly prohibited. An organic chicken may receive a course of antibiotics if absolutely necessary, however this is not commonplace. After an organic chicken is given antibiotics their organic status is temporarily revoked and this intervention really helps to make the use of antibiotics an emergency/last resort.
The main distinguishing factor between organic and free range birds is the scope of the definition. Free range chickens are determined by their access to outdoor spaces and welfare standards. In contrast, organic chickens must have the same welfare goals but with the addition of stricter rules surrounding the animals diet and medical interventions.
What are organic chickens fed?
A typical diet for an organic chicken must be sourced entirely from organic suppliers and typically consists of a combination of organic wheat, organic corn, organic barley, organic peas, natural minerals, organic vegetable oil and foraged food from their pasture such as grass and insects. This varied combination of ingredients helps ensure the nutritional needs of the animals are met naturally without the need for additives.
In contrast, a standard or conventionally raised broiler chicken in the UK is fed a similar base of ingredients, however, coccidiostats may be added to prevent parasitic infections, and GMO crops are allowed. Conventional broiler chickens may also be given enzymes and acidifiers to aid their digestion.
