I found this news article today from a website called "World Poultry." It is about how calcium and vitamin D supplements are being given to poultry so "farmers can maintain and improve animal health." I am aware the some farms medicate their animals for illness. I am even aware that certain farmers increase muscle mass of their animals through supplementations and products such as Paylean in the pork industry (Paylean is a substance that contains Ractopamine Hydrochloride- a supplement that uses nutrients for muscle development that would otherwise be used for fats). But I had never heard of giving calcium and vitamin D to chickens. I am not really opposed to it; the chickens could be being fed a lot worse. At least in this case they are being fed nutrients that naturally occur in the body. We shall have to wait and see how this turns out. I don't really care as long as they still taste like chicken.
Here is the website for the article:
http://www.worldpoultry.net/Home/General/2012/10/Product-Improving-calcium-balance-in-poultry-1092713W/
Also, here is the website for information on Paylean:
http://www.pntechnologies.com/ourproductspayleandetails.htm
Enjoy what is left of the weekend!
-Nathan
p.s. Do you think she is running to the calcium or away from it?
This is hilarious! Love it, interesting that farmers give supplements to animals, do you know if they also give hormones? I know many farmers do and I wonder if it is the same ones. It would be nice to think that the farmers just treat their animals well and provide supplements...
ReplyDeleteThanks Alizah! I know a lot of farmers do give hormones to develop meat, but I think that is mainly used in cattle. From what I have been able to find, it is illegal to give hormones to chickens and pigs. But I'm sure someone someplace has done it anyway to try and get ahead. Here is a link to the information I found: http://www.meatpoultrynutrition.org/ht/d/Faqs/pid/26093.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I would like to think that farmers are treating their animals well. I sure hope they are being held accountable for things.
Alizah and Nathan - great interaction!
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