SALISBURY, Md. – Perdue Farms announced it achieved its goal of providing outdoor access in 25 percent of its chicken houses by January 2020.
“We are constantly addressing not only the needs of our chickens, but also their wants. This includes providing them with the freedom and environment to express normal behavior,” said Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, Diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians and senior vice president of live production and technology innovation for Perdue Farms. “In our experience, encouraging natural activity for our chickens is a component to maintaining their overall health. We believe there is a correlation between chickens raised with outdoor access and producing a better chicken for the consumer.”
In order to achieve its goals, Perdue family farmers have converted nearly 700 chicken houses from conventional growing operations to meet the company’s free-range standards. The changes included adding windows, environmental enrichments, and safe outdoor access. The majority of these adjustments were subsidized by Perdue Farms.
“Perdue is leading the way among the top poultry producers when it comes to raising the bar on the treatment of chickens,” said Josh Balk, vice president of farm animal protection at the Humane Society of the United States. “Nearly 200 food companies – from fast food to family dining to foodservice – have committed to exclusively sourcing chicken meat from farms that meet higher welfare standards. Perdue is doing the right thing while gaining a competitive advantage. In the meantime, other major producers aren’t making improvements and are even resisting progress. They’ll lose out in the marketplace as Perdue meets the demand for a better way of farming.”
“Reaching this goal is an important milestone in our animal care journey and for our company. As we celebrate our 100th anniversary this year, free-range practices harken back to when Arthur and Pearl Perdue raised chickens literally in the backyard of their now-iconic farmhouse,” said Gudjon Olafsson, vice president of marketing at Perdue Farms.
The company’s goals are outlined in its annual Company Stewardship Report and were shared during its annual Animal Care Summit.
In addition, the company has expanded its line of free-range products under its Perdue Harvestland label. The company also offers free-range and organic chicken products under its Simply Smart Organics labels. All Perdue chickens are raised with no antibiotics ever, no hormones or steroids added, hatched, raised, and harvested in the USA, and fed an all-vegetarian diet with no animal by-products.
“Nearly half of all consumers would like the meat department of their grocery stores to carry more free-range items,” Olafsson said. “We’re answering that call by significantly expanding the free-range offerings under our popular Perdue Harvestland brand – the first coast-to-coast offering of its kind – and available nationally in grocery stores, supercenters, and online.”
The company has added a QR code to all Perdue Harvestland products which, when scanned, will take consumers to a webpage that will tell the story of the family farms and farmers involved with the growing of the animals.
“Consumers increasingly desire more transparency behind where their food comes from, which includes the people and processes behind their food,” Olafsson added. “We couldn’t do what we do without the dedication of our farm families, and we’re proud to highlight their efforts and individual stories in connection to the food they help produce.”
FAQs
We met our goal of increasing free-range farms, with 25 percent of houses across the company having outdoor access. We will continue to increase as needed to meet customer and consumer demand for PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® organic and free-range chicken.
Is Perdue free range chicken actually free range? ›
At Perdue, we raise more Free Range chickens than anyone else. Our chickens forage freely in and out of the house, to do natural things birds are supposed to do! They explore grassy areas, peck the ground, take dust baths and soak up the sunshine.
Does Purdue have free range chicken? ›
We give our chickens room to roam outdoors - PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® Free Range Chicken Breast Tenderloins are a delicious kitchen staple you can feel great about feeding your family. Chicken tenderloins are known for their versatile flavor profile and tenderness.
Are Perdue chickens really cage-free? ›
Poultry is raised on small family farms by Perdue Farms' own collective of American farmers. Farmers adhere to the brand's strict raising practices, which in some cases exceed those of the USDA. Chickens are raised cage-free in temperature-controlled, enclosed housing with fresh air ventilation.
Does Perdue treat their chickens humanely? ›
We are third-party audited throughout Perdue with every species by highly regarded certification agencies such as Certified Humane, American Humane, USDA Organic, Global Animal Partnership, USDA-AMS Process Verified Program and others in the industry.
What is the Perdue chicken controversy? ›
Perdue, who died in 2005, was responsible not only for killing billions of chickens but for developing many of the notoriously cruel techniques now used throughout the chicken industry. Over the years, PETA has marched with Perdue's striking workers and protested his company's abuse of billions of chickens.
Does Perdue chicken come from China? ›
Raised Right in America. At Perdue, we are committed to earning your trust through our highest standards. We guarantee that all PERDUE® chicken sold in America is raised, harvested and prepared right here in the USA.
Is Perdue chicken really hormone free? ›
Do you use hormones, steroids or other growth-promoting drugs? No. Federal law prohibits the use of added hormones and steroids in poultry, and we've never used them and never will. All of our chickens are raised in no-antibiotics-ever programs.
Why is free range chicken so expensive? ›
Free-range and organic chickens are more expensive because they cost more to produce. Feed accounts for about 70% of the cost to rear a chicken and these birds are eating for double the amount of time. Plus the older and bigger they get, the more they consume.
Is Perdue a Chinese company? ›
Perdue Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned, U.S. food and agricultural company based in Salisbury, Md.
March 7 (Reuters) - Food distributors that sued Perdue, Sanderson and other major chicken producers for alleged price-fixing have agreed to drop their claims after seven years of litigation. The settlement, disclosed in a Wednesday court filing , opens new tab in Chicago federal court, does not include any payments.
Does Perdue use steroids? ›
PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® chickens are raised cage free and fed an all-vegetarian diet. We never give our chickens antibiotics, hormones or steroids because we believe in a better chicken.
Is Perdue fake chicken? ›
The USDA Process Verified seal lets you know that PERDUE® Fresh All-Natural Chicken has been: Raised without cages. Fed an all-vegetarian diet with no animal by-products. Labeled with our Signature Tenderness Guarantee on selected products.
Who owns perdue chicken now? ›
Perdue today
A holding company, FPP Family Investments, Inc., owned by the Perdue family, became the controlling entity for Perdue Farms. The holding company also owns Perdue AgriBusiness, a grain operation; FPP Business Services, a shared business services company; and Coleman Natural Foods.
What is the healthiest chicken to buy? ›
At the grocery store, the best chicken you can buy will be organic, free-range or pasture raised, antibiotic free, and air-chilled. This combo is the winner, winner chicken dinner.
Are free-range chickens really free range? ›
When free-range chicken is labeled as such by the USDA, chickens and egg-laying hens must have continuous access to outdoor space for more than 51 percent of the animals' lives. There is no guarantee that the birds will actually get to use that outdoor space, or if they do, that they will spend much time there.
Does Purdue give their chickens hormones? ›
Federal law prohibits the use of added hormones and steroids in poultry, and we've never used them and never will. All of our chickens are raised in no-antibiotics-ever programs.
Is all Perdue chicken pasture raised? ›
Perdue is the first company in the world to have a USDA process-verified program that guarantees every bird was truly raised on fresh pasture.
Where do perdue farms get their chicken? ›
The majority of our chickens are raised on family farms. On the West Coast, company-owned ranches are more common.
