A complete guide to organic chicken
This article was informed, and in some places written, by Tyler Dawley.
Tyler helps run Big Bluff Ranch and is a 15 year veteran chicken rancher who knows all about organic chicken and the realities of the chicken industry.
What is organic chicken?
Organic chicken is chicken that has been raised according to strict organic standards. These standards prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Organic chicken must also be raised in an environment that promotes natural behaviors, such as foraging and dust bathing.
While the “organic” label is a great thing for conscious food-buyers to look for, it’s important to realize that organic does not equal perfect…This is especially true when it comes to issues of animal welfare.
This is why we take things a BIG step further at Big Bluff Ranch by not only organic certifying our chicken but also using pasture-raised, sustainable farming methods.
Whether you’re looking for the best chicken in terms of your own personal health, the health or the chicken, or the health of the planet - Big Bluff Ranch has you covered.
Keep reading to find out more about what organic chicken does (AND DOESN’T) mean.
To be certified organic, chicken farmers must follow strict guidelines set by government agencies such as the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). These guidelines ensure that the chickens are raised in a way that is environmentally sustainable and promotes animal welfare.
Why is organic chicken more expensive?
Organic chicken is more expensive than chicken produced by conventional methods because organic chicken focuses on quality of profits. This is especially true at Big Bluff Ranch where we’re not just organic, but also pasture raised and regenerative.
"Conventional guys get to cheat. Conventional guys get to use antibiotics. Conventional guys get to use less than optimal animal welfare they just do everything they can to grow the chicken as cheap as possible. Organic chicken is not meant necessarily to be as cheap as possible,” says BBR’s Tyler Dawley, “It's meant to be the best possible.”
How does chicken get labeled organic?
Organic regulations specify a list of requirements that chicken producers must meet in order to use the organic label.
Organic requirements look at the following things:
Feed
Antibiotics and hormones
Outdoor Access
Space
Animal welfare:
Third-party certification
Processing
It’s also worth noting that organic chicken must be certified by a third-party organization that verifies the chickens meet the organic standards.
Organic chicken feed
Organic chickens must be fed with certified organic feed that is free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The feed must also be non-GMO and free from animal by-products.
Takeaways
What organic chicken feed requirements DO cover:
No herbicides
No pesticides
No fungicides
What organic feed requirements DON’T cover:
The types of grains chickens are being fed
Whether the food materials are native
Whether the food materials are sustainable
Organic chicken antibiotics and hormones
Organic chickens must not be given antibiotics or growth hormones.
Takeaways
One of the best parts about certified organic poultry is that it means NO antibiotics and NO growth hormones.
When antibiotics are used in chicken farming, they are used sub-therapeutically. What this means is that chickens are given antibiotics even when they’re healthy. The result is that some of the bacteria in the birds' guts may develop resistance to the drugs. This can happen when the antibiotics kill off susceptible bacteria, leaving behind only those that are resistant. Over time, the resistant bacteria can spread to other chickens and even to humans who come into contact with the birds or their meat.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause serious infections in humans, and in some cases, these infections may be difficult or even impossible to treat with conventional antibiotics. This can lead to longer hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and an increased risk of death.
Furthermore, antibiotic residues in chicken meat can also lead to allergic reactions in some people, particularly those with a history of antibiotic allergies.
As for growth-hormone enhanced chicken, this is a bad thing quite simply because these hormones can remain in the meat and may be passed on to humans who eat it. While the risks to human health are not fully understood, some studies suggest that exposure to growth hormones may increase the risk of certain cancers.
Organic chicken welfare
Outdoor access for organic chicken
There is a very low-bar set by the USDA when it comes to minimum outdoor access requirements for organic chicken.
According to required government standards, organic chickens must have access to the outdoors and be able to engage in natural behaviors such as foraging and dust bathing. Specifically, the FDA requires that organic chickens have at least 2 square feet of outdoor space per bird, and that the outdoor area is covered with vegetation or other natural materials to encourage natural behaviors.
In addition to outdoor space, the FDA also requires that organic chickens have adequate indoor space. Organic chickens must have at least 1.5 square feet of indoor space per bird, and the indoor area must be clean, dry, and well-ventilated. The indoor area must also provide access to food and water at all times.
The space requirements for organic chicken are important for several reasons. First, they promote animal welfare. By providing organic chickens with adequate space to engage in natural behaviors, they are able to live a more comfortable and fulfilling life.
Second, space requirements also promote food safety. Overcrowding can lead to the spread of disease and other health issues, which can impact the safety of the chicken and the people who consume it.
Finally, space requirements are important for environmental sustainability. By providing organic chickens with outdoor space, they are able to engage in behaviors that promote soil health and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Why organic chicken space requirements are not enough
So point here is simple: The USDA’s space requirements for chicken are not enough. Farms that care about more than meeting the absolute minimum — ones like Big Bluff Ranch — must take things a big step further.
Enter pasture raised. Below, you can see a real picture of how our chickens live at Big Bluff Ranch. We care for our animals and provide them with a far more comfortable and better life than what’s required in organic chicken regulations.
If animal welfare is something you’re conscious off, consider going beyond organic to find meat that is pasture raised or “free range.”
Big Bluff Ranch, pasture raised chicken
More on animal welfare requirements
Organic chicken producers must meet animal welfare standards, such as providing clean and comfortable living conditions, access to fresh water, and appropriate lighting.
Organic chicken processing
Organic chickens must be processed in a certified organic facility that follows strict standards for humane treatment and cleanliness.
What are some of the worst practices of conventional chicken farms?
Conventional chicken farming practices can vary depending on the country, region, and specific farm. However, there are some common practices that are often considered to be detrimental to the welfare of chickens and can lead to negative environmental impacts. Here are some examples:
Overcrowding: Many conventional chicken farms keep a large number of chickens in small spaces, which can lead to stress, aggression, and poor health. Overcrowding can also increase the risk of disease outbreaks.
Lack of natural light and fresh air: Many conventional chicken farms keep the chickens in enclosed spaces with artificial lighting and ventilation. This can cause respiratory problems, eye problems, and other health issues.
Antibiotic overuse: Many conventional chicken farms use antibiotics to prevent disease outbreaks, but this can lead to antibiotic resistance in both animals and humans.
Debeaking: Some conventional egg-producing chicken farms practice debeaking, which involves removing part of the chicken's beak to prevent them from pecking at each other. This can cause pain and discomfort for the chickens.
Waste management: Many conventional chicken farms generate a significant amount of waste, which can lead to environmental pollution if not properly managed.
Why do some conventional farms use chlorine?
In short, yes - you may have eaten chlorinated chicken many times without even knowing it. We never chlorine was our chicken at Big Bluff Ranch.
Chlorinated chicken has been a topic of controversy for several years now. While it is commonly consumed in the United States, it is banned in the European Union due to concerns over food safety. In this blog post, we will explore what chlorinated chicken is, why it is controversial, and whether or not it is bad for you.
What is Chlorinated Chicken?
Chlorinated chicken is chicken that has been washed in a solution containing chlorine. This process is commonly used in the United States to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination, such as salmonella and campylobacter. The chlorine solution is used to kill bacteria on the surface of the chicken.
In the European Union, however, chlorinated chicken is banned due to concerns over food safety. The European Union believes that the use of chlorine to wash chicken can mask poor hygiene practices and lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Why is Chlorinated Chicken Controversial?
The controversy surrounding chlorinated chicken is due to concerns over food safety and animal welfare. Critics argue that the use of chlorine to wash chicken can mask poor hygiene practices and lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They also argue that the use of chlorine is a shortcut that allows companies to ignore proper hygiene practices.
In addition, some animal welfare organizations argue that the use of chlorine is a way to cover up poor living conditions for chickens. They argue that if chickens were raised in clean and humane conditions, there would be no need to use chlorine to wash them.
Is Chlorinated Chicken Bad For You?
The use of chlorine to wash chicken is generally considered safe by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The USDA and FDA both have strict guidelines for the use of chlorine in the food industry, and they believe that the use of chlorine is an effective way to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.
However, critics argue that the use of chlorine can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be harmful to human health. They also argue that the use of chlorine is a way to cover up poor hygiene practices, which can lead to the development of harmful bacteria.
Overall, the safety of chlorinated chicken is a topic of debate. While it is considered safe by some organizations, others believe that it can be harmful to human health and animal welfare.
Note that we do NOT chlorine wash our chicken at Big Bluff Ranch.
Why is organic chicken better for you?
Organic chicken and other organic meats, fruits, vegetables, and other products are better for you for several reasons, including:
No Antibiotics: Organic meat comes from animals that are not treated with antibiotics. This means that there is no risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria developing in the meat, which can be a concern with conventionally raised meat.
No Hormones: Organic meat is also produced from animals that have not been given growth hormones. This means that the meat is free from synthetic hormones, which some people may be concerned about.
No Pesticides: Animals raised for organic meat are not fed with genetically modified feed or treated with synthetic pesticides. This means that the meat is free from any residue from these substances, which can be harmful to health.
Does organic chicken taste better?
Yes! And we’d love you to taste the difference. Try Big Bluff Ranch chicken, and see for yourself.
Is it hard for a chicken producer to qualify as organic?
In short: No, not really. You basically have to just change your inputs. You have to have a third party audit to verify that you're doing things the right way, but anyone can decide to become an organic farmer. The tricky part is that most chicken producers are a part of these big chicken companies and the big chicken companies tell them what to do.
Most chicken farms are owned by huge companies like Tyson, Perdue, Sanderson's, all these sort of places.
In that contract growing situation, the big companies own the feed. They own the chickens. They tell the farmer how to raise 'em, what to raise them, what supplements to use, what water, what everything. Tells 'em everything. So the farmer could be organic. It's not that hard, but it's the company who would tell them to go organic.
So...Is it hard to be organic? Not really. But you have to definitely change your mindset.
What IS hard is taking things to the next level by being not just organic, but also pasture raised, and by using regenerative farming practices.
What is a Cornish Cross chicken?
At BBR we raise a type of chicken called the Cornish Cross.
Cornish Cross chickens are a hybrid breed created by crossing a Cornish chicken with a White Plymouth Rock chicken. These chickens are NOT genetically modified. They are, however, great for making delicious high-yield meat.
What do Cornish Cross chickens eat?
The vast majority of conventional chickens are fed on corn and soy. At Big Bluff Ranch, though, we use wheat and rapeseed meal. We chose these two crops because they can be dry-farmed in CA. That means that these grains aren’t traveling thousands of miles to get here (like soy would need to) nor are they using a bunch of our limited California water (like corn would).
From our perspective, in California, a no corn/soy chicken is the most ecologically appropriate feed ration.