INTEGRATED CHICKEN MEAT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many days does it take before broiler chickens are ready for slaughtering?
Broiler chickens reach the age proper for slaughtering 42-45 days after they hatch. The chicken reach a weight of 2200-2300gr after 42-45 days although they are only 40gr when they hatch.
How many Kg of feed are consumed by broiler chickens during their life time?
Broiler chickens consume about 4.0-4.2Kg of feed during their 42-45 days of life time. The feed consumed by these chickens is "special feed" produced, using scientific methods, in feeding areas.
Are the feeds consumed by broiler chickens artificial feeds?
The contents of the feeds consumed by broiler chickens are completley natural, such as corn, wheat and soy. It is not the artificial, synthetic or hormonal substance that accelerates the growth of the chickens; it is the provision of BALANCED feed that is prepared according to the animals’ needs. Results of many studies on this subject conducted at universities worldwide are used by animal feed experts.
Is it true that antibiotics are added to feeds of broiler chickens?
Yes. Antibiotics are used in feeds for broiler chickens in our country, just as they are used in European countries and most other countries in the world. The process of adding antibiotics to feed in Turkey is the same as the process applied in Europe. The purpose of adding this supplement is to protect chickens and their consumers, humans, against illnesses. The antibiotics that are allowed to be added to chicken feeds are not absorbed by the small intestines of the animals and therefore they exit the animal’s body without being absorbed by the meat. Nevertheless, the use of antibiotics for either protection or cure purposes must, according to law, be stopped 7 days before the slaughter. The reason for this action is to remove any possible risk of antibiotic residue in the meat and liver. The use of antibiotics by broiler chicken producers is regulated by the Agriculture ministry's Protection Control General Management through the "Residue Observation Program".
Why is it that the growth period of broiler chickens is so short?
The short growth period of broiler chickens is due to the results of many years of research conducted on breeding. The primary target of these studies has been to provide for the animal protein needs of the world population as the population increases and to ensure that all levels of the public are able to benefit from high quality animal protein at low prices.
What does breeding mean?
Breeding is the the copulation of animals that have similar features with each other according to a plan in order to ensure their reproduction. For example, we can observe this concept being played out in the human population when a tall man and a tall woman marry and have tall offspring.
Are broiler chickens created by gene mutations?
No. The consumed chickens are not subject to gene mutations such as gene exchange with another external organism or gene change.
Are hormones used to accelerate the growth of broiler chickens?
No. There are no hormones added to food or water or directly to the animal body in any country in the world, including our country and European countries. Also, the Agriculture ministry's Protection Control General Management regulates antibiotic and hormone supplement contents and all other substances that are hazardous for humans through the "Residue Observation Program" of the EU by taking periodic samples from liver and meat. Up to today, no events of hormone usage have been observed in Turkey and no reports have been provided by authorized organizations stating that hormones have been used.
Are broiler chickens related to genetically Mutated Organisms (GMO)?
There is no such concept of "genetically mutated chicken" in either our country or the world. The GMO concept includes the use of biotechnological applications in the growth of plants, such as corn and soy, to increase productivity, to protect the plants against hazardous plants and insects and to increase the nutrition values of the products. Our country is one of the 100 countries that signed the "United Countries Bio-safety Protocol" in June 2002 to regulate the application of the aforementioned technology. Similar to the EU and other countries around the world, our country places no restrictions on the use of GMO for growing raw material to be used in animal feeds.
