Myth: Chickens are fed hormones

Truth: The use of hormones (or steroids) was banned more than 40 years ago – and this ban is strictly enforced in Australia and around the world.

Advertising that claims ‘no added hormones’ is not differentiating a product, but instead stating an industry-wide regulation.

Myth: Meat chickens are fed something unnatural to make them grow faster

Truth: Most of the change in how birds grow is thanks to specialist breeders overseas, who have selectively bred birds to grow more quickly and efficiently.

Research into chickens’ precise nutritional requirements, better animal husbandry and housing and improvements in healthcare have also contributed to improving bird growth and to reducing the time it takes to get chickens to market size.

Myth: Chickens are fed antibiotics for the purpose of making them grow faster and larger

Truth: Antibiotics are used responsibly to treat and prevent diseases, not for the purpose of making chickens grow faster or larger.

Only antibiotics that have been assessed for their safety and approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for use in meat chickens are to be used, and are used in a way that ensures there are no antibiotic residues in the meat.

Truth: Meat chickens are never raised in cages, but instead raised in large, clean, temperature regulated sheds where they are free to roam about the floor.

The Chicken Meat Federation’s Consumer Information Line, “Chook Infoline” was established in 2006 to help answer consumer questions about chicken meat and the meat industry in Australia.

Chook Infoline: 1300 4 CHOOKS (1300 424 665)                                 Australian Chicken Meat Federation (ACMF) website: www.chicken.org.au