Chickens are one of the most common types of birds that are raised for food. Chickens that are raised specifically for meat production are called broilers or broiler chickens. Here is a quick overview of broiler chickens and how they are raised for food:
What are Broiler Chickens?
Broiler chickens, also known as broilers, are chickens that are bred and raised specifically for meat production. They grow much faster than egg laying or dual purpose chickens, reaching slaughter weight at around 5-7 weeks of age. Broilers have been selectively bred over decades to produce birds with fast growth rates and high feed conversion efficiency.
The most common broiler chicken breeds are the Cornish Cross, Cornish Rock, and Cobb 500. These breeds have been engineered to provide lots of breast meat and grow rapidly on very little feed. A broiler chicken can reach a slaughter weight of 4-5 lbs in just 5-7 weeks. In comparison, egg laying hens don’t reach mature body weight until 20 weeks of age and only weigh 2.5-4.5 lbs at maturity.
Broiler chickens are raised in large, open barns called broiler houses. Each broiler house can hold 20,000-50,000 birds at a time. The houses provide the chickens with everything they need including feed, water, heat, and ventilation. Farmers raise multiple flocks of broilers each year.
Why Raise Broilers?
Broiler chickens are raised for one purpose – meat production. Here are some of the main reasons why broiler production has become so popular:
- High demand for chicken meat – Chicken is a lean, healthy meat that is in high demand globally. Broiler chickens allow farmers to produce a lot of meat efficiently.
- Fast growth rates – Broilers reach slaughter weight very quickly at just 5-7 weeks. This allows for multiple flocks to be raised per year.
- High feed conversion – Broilers only need 1.6-2 lbs of feed to gain 1 lb of body weight. This makes them efficient to raise.
- Inexpensive production costs – Housing and feeding broilers is relatively cheap compared to other livestock.
- Mild flavor – Broiler meat is versatile with a mild flavor consumers enjoy.
- White meat – Broilers produce a high percentage of breast meat which is in demand.
In summary, broiler chickens allow farmers to produce lean, protein-rich meat efficiently and economically.
How are Broiler Chickens Raised?
Here is an overview of how broiler chickens are raised on a commercial scale:
Housing
Broilers are housed together in large, open barns called broiler houses. Each broiler house can hold 20,000-50,000 birds at a time. The houses provide the birds with feed, water, heat, ventilation, and litter (bedding material). The floor is covered in 4-6 inches of absorbent litter such as wood shavings, rice hulls, or peanut shells.
Feeding
Broilers are fed ad libitum (free choice) specially formulated feed that is nutritionally balanced for their fast growth rates. The feed is usually in crumble or pellet form which allows the birds to eat quickly. Broilers consume around 1.8-2.2 lbs of feed for each 1 lb of body weight gain.
Lighting
Broiler houses use intermittent lighting programs to maximize feed intake and growth. Typically the houses have 23 hours of light and 1 hour of darkness each day. Light intensity is also reduced periodically to keep activity levels up.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation removes heat, gases, and dust from the broiler houses. Fans, curtains, and ventilation openings help control airflow. Broilers perform best at temperatures between 60-75°F.
Health
Preventative flock health programs including vaccines, medications, and probiotics are used to keep broiler chickens healthy. Strict biosecurity protocols also help control diseases. Sick birds are culled from the flock.
Processing
Broilers are processed for meat at 5-7 weeks of age. They are humanely harvested at the processing plant, processed, packaged, and shipped to grocery stores for consumers to purchase.
What Do Broilers Eat?
Broiler chickens eat specially formulated feed that provides complete and balanced nutrition for their fast growth:
- Protein – The feed is high in protein, usually from soybean meal or corn gluten meal. This builds muscle growth.
- Energy – Grains like corn or wheat provide calories for growth. Fat can be added as an energy source too.
- Vitamins & minerals – A vitamin/mineral premix provides necessary micronutrients.
- Amino acids – Synthetic lysine, methionine, and threonine are added to balance the amino acid profile.
- Phosphorus – Added to support muscle and skeletal growth.
- Antioxidants – Help preserve feed and promote immunity.
The feed is usually in the form of crumbles or pellets to reduce waste and allow fast eating. Broilers always have access to fresh water as well.
Growth Rate of Broilers
Here is a typical growth timeline for broiler chickens from hatch to harvest:
| Age | Weight |
|---|---|
| Hatch | 40-45 g |
| 7 days | 130-160 g |
| 14 days | 500-700 g |
| 21 days | 1000-1400 g |
| 28 days | 1600-2000 g |
| 35 days | 2500-2900 g |
| 42 days | 3000-3500 g |
As you can see, broiler chickens experience extremely rapid growth in a short period of time. They can gain over 3,000 times their hatch weight in just 42 days! Selective breeding has created broiler strains that can turn feed into muscle very quickly and efficiently.
Welfare Concerns for Broilers
While commercial broiler production provides large amounts of cheap chicken meat, some animal welfare concerns have been raised regarding intensive broiler farming. These include:
- Fast growth – The extremely rapid growth can put stress on the broiler’s developing joints and muscles.
- Leg problems – Their heavy breast muscle growth can cause leg weakness and lameness.
- Contact dermatitis – Breast blisters and skin irritation can develop from sitting in damp litter.
- Sudden death syndrome – Some fast growing broilers die suddenly from heart attacks or ascites.
- Overcrowding – High stocking densities in broiler houses can lead to competition and stress.
However, farmers take steps to maximize broiler welfare such as providing good ventilation, lighting, and litter quality. They also follow optimal stocking density recommendations and cull sick/lame birds. Consumers can choose to buy broiler chicken products with welfare certification as well.
Why Broiler Chickens Have White Striped Skin
Many people wonder why commercial broiler chickens have white stripes or lines on their skin. These white striped markings develop because:
- Broilers grow extremely quickly, putting stress on their developing muscle and connective tissue.
- The rapid muscle growth outstrips the development of connective tissue like collagen.
- This causes microscopic tears between muscle fibers and connective tissue.
- The tears fill with lipid (fat) cells and repair tissue, creating white lines or streaks.
So in summary, the white striping seen on broiler breast and thigh meat is caused by tiny tears and repair of the tissue from their extremely fast skeletal muscle growth. While the white strips look unappetizing, they are just cosmetic and the meat is still safe to eat when properly cooked.
Cooking Broiler Chicken
Broiler chicken has a mild flavor and can be prepared in many different ways. Here are some tips for cooking delicious broiler chicken meat at home:
1. Roast whole chicken
Roast a whole broiler chicken seasoned with herbs at 350°F until the juices run clear (about 1-1.5 hrs). This method keeps the white and dark meat juicy.
2. Grill chicken parts
Grill bone-in chicken pieces like thighs and drumsticks over medium heat until cooked through. The bone keeps the meat moist.
3. Sauté or stir fry
Cut chicken into bite-size pieces to quickly sauté or stir fry. Cook over fairly high heat until browned and 160°F.
4. Bake chicken breast
Bake boneless, skinless chicken breasts at 375°F brushed with oil or marinade until no longer pink inside. Juicy and healthy!
5. Make soup or stew
Use broiler chicken pieces to make delicious soups, stews, curry, or chili. The long, slow cooking tenderizes the meat.
6. Prepare kebabs
Thread cubes of chicken with veggies onto skewers to make kebabs. Grill or broil until nicely browned.
Broiler chicken is very versatile in the kitchen. Cook it simply with seasoning or add sauces, marinades and other flavors.
Is Broiler Chicken Healthy?
Broiler chicken can be a healthy meat choice when eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Here are some of the health benefits of broiler chicken:
- High in protein – Great source of lean protein needed for muscle growth and repair.
- Lower in fat – Much less fat grams compared to beef or pork.
- Vitamins & minerals – Provides B-vitamins, selenium, iron and other nutrients.
- Versatile – Easy to prepare broilers in heart-healthy ways like baking or grilling.
- Low mercury – Very low in mercury compared to some fish.
However, broiler chicken does have some downsides nutrition-wise. The main concerns are:
- Can be high in saturated fat if skin is eaten.
- Higher in sodium if it contains added salt.
- May contain additives if enhanced or processed.
Overall, broiler chicken can be part of a nutritious diet in moderation. Focus on preparing it in healthy ways without a lot of added fat, salt or chemicals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, broiler chickens are a highly efficient bird that allows poultry farmers to produce large amounts of lean, protein-rich meat for human consumption. Billions of broiler chickens are raised each year to supply the global demand for chicken meat. While there are some welfare concerns, farmers take steps to promote broiler health and natural behavior. Broiler chicken provides a versatile healthy meat option when prepared properly.
