Perdue Farms’ dedication to raising animals with love and producing delicious chicken for customers is well known. But what you may not know is that their feed goes beyond what is required – far beyond just providing basic nutrients.
For instance, Perdue requires its chicken farmers to use Roxarsone – a feed additive made of arsenic which has caused some concern among consumers.
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Humanely Raised Chickens
If you’ve ever watched videos of large chicken farms, you know the birds aren’t always living their best lives. These farms are under tremendous strain to produce as many eggs or meat for market.
Under pressure, hens often receive subpar food and living conditions in order to meet demand. This has a devastating effect on their health and quality of life.
To guarantee you’re not purchasing chickens that have not been raised humanely, ask your farmer about their practices. Additionally, determine which type of poultry you’re purchasing – organic or Certified Humane Pasture Raised?
If you’re uncertain, consult your local farmers market or the USDA website for more details about what types of poultry require. For instance, pasture-raised or organic chickens need 108 square feet of outdoor space as well as access to a barn at night for protection from elements.
No Antibiotics Ever
Perdue has made a pledge to raise chickens without antibiotics ever (NAE), from hatchery or birth until slaughter. Furthermore, their turkey and pork products are now offered with this commitment in place.
After two years, Perdue finally eliminated all antibiotics from its poultry products – nuggets and strips sold at supermarkets nationwide. The change will triple the amount of no-antibiotic chicken they sell, making them the leading supplier of grocery-store chicken raised without antibiotics according to The Wall Street Journal.
Stewart-Brown has been testing different strategies to eliminate antibiotics from production and extend the lives of chickens, such as turning off lights for four hours daily in chicken houses so birds can rest and reduce stress. According to Stewart-Brown, chickens grow faster and eat more when they receive ample sleep.
In a new campaign from Perdue, they compare their ‘Other Guys’ feed to that of rivals by using hidden cameras and real people to show the blood, bones, animal fat and other by-products commonly found in chicken feed. This contrast is then contrasted against Perdue’s all-vegetarian, no-antibiotics-ever chicken feed in an advertisement created by VIA Agency in Portland, Maine.
All-Natural Ingredients
Chicken feed is composed of various components, such as grain, protein and fat. Common sources for protein include soybean, canola and sunflower meal, lupins and peas; alternative sources may come from animal byproducts like bone meal or feather meal.
Due to growing demand from flexitarian families, Perdue has introduced Perdue Chicken Plus products. These frozen nuggets, tenders and patties are made with a blend of chicken, vegetables and plant protein and come in frozen forms such as nuggets, tenders or patties.
The poultry industry, often criticized for its pollution of water, is changing. Many of America’s largest chicken companies are now offering organic and no-antibiotic chicken options.
Many of these companies are also raising chickens more sustainably, which could inspire other large food producers to follow suit. Furthermore, it could alter how water is used in the industry which has long relied on manure for fertilization.
High Protein
Flexitarian families looking for new ways to get their daily serving of vegetables will love Perdue’s first-of-its kind national distributed PERDUE(r) CHICKEN PLUS(tm) Nuggets, Tenders and Patties made with cauliflower, chickpeas and plant protein – providing kids with protein without compromising on vegetables. These tasty treats combine cauliflower, chickpeas and plant protein for a nutritious boost in vegetable intake.
Finding nutritious vegetables to feed their kids can be a real challenge, especially when they’re busy on the go. To make eating healthy more convenient for busy families, Perdue is introducing first-of-its-kind nationally distributed PERDUE(r) FROZEN CHICKEN PLUS(tm) Nuggets, Crispy Rice Tenders and Panko Chicken PlusTM Patties that feature vegetables kids love without added sugar or fat – perfect for on the go meals!
Perdue is a leading poultry producer and soybean processor, handling approximately 3 million acres worth of soy annually. By transitioning this acreage to PhotoSeed soy, growers will gain access to higher value crops while Perdue gains access to beans with improved oil content and higher protein content in their meals – all while reducing its environmental footprint.
