Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hormones in my chicken?
No hormones are fed or otherwise administered to any poultry in Australia. Hormones have not been used in the Australian poultry industry for over 50 years. Hormones were originally used as an alternative to castration and to improve the tenderness of the meat, but improved breeds of chicken have made this practice unnecessary. No hormones are administered to meat chicken under any circumstances in Australia, so there is no basis for any food safety concern regarding hormones.
Are meat chickens kept in cages?
No, meat chickens are not kept in cages in Australia. They are farmed in large open sheds, with free range farms allowing
access to foraging areas.
What is biosecurity?
Biosecurity is the system by which pathogens that can cause excessive illness or mortalities in chickens are prevented from entering the flock, the region, the state or the country. For Further Information see The Federal Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries Biosecurity Manual (Poultry)
How much chicken do Australians eat?
Per Capita Consumption of Chicken, Beef, Pig Meat & Sheep
Why do chickens grow quickly?
Meat chickens have been selectively bred over the past 60 years for a variety of characteristics, including growth rate and
efficiency to convert feed into meat. This is why they reach the desired market weight and quality more quickly than thee
progenitor breeds of chickens from which they were originally derived.