Poultry farming is the commercial raising of ducks, geese, chickens and turkeys for sale. This has been one of the major protein resouces for human demands since the 1930s and 1940s. Due to the shortage of pork and beef, poultry farming expanded rapidly during World War ll. Secondly, poultry, which is less fattening compared to other meat products, were used as substitutes as in the mordern society which is concerned over obesity.

More than 85% of the laying hens   in the States today, are reared in automatic wire cages to provide a constant supply of feed and water as well as to maintain control of the environment.

The United States is a leader of the worldwide poultry industry. Within the United States, California produces about 11 percent of the nation's eggs, followed by Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Georgia; the leading broiler-producing states are Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina.

First Comes the Egg

Everything starts with an egg. Hens lay fertilized eggs (about 150-155 in a year) at breeder farms. Once or twice a week all the eggs are picked up and taken to hatcheries.The eggs are put into incubators and kept warm at 37.5 ° C. After 21 days, the eggs begin to hatch.

Right after hatching, the gender of the chicks is checked and they are vaccinated to prevent illness. Within 6-12 hours of hatching, the chicks are put into heated trucks and taken to the chicken farms.

At the Poultry Farm

Chickens are raised in large poultry barns. These barns are heated and ventilated to provide the proper temperature, humidity and air circulation.

*Raising chickens indoors keeps them safe from predators and helps prevent illness!*

The chickens are not kept in cages. They are allowed to move freely around the barn floor which is covered with soft, dry straw. Fresh, clean water and food are always available and the chickens eat whenever they want.

After each flock, the barn and equipment are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Barns are then left empty a week before a new flock arrives.

Feeding Chickens

Chicken feed is specially made to meet all of the nutritional needs of a chicken. The main ingredient in chicken food is grain, usually a blend of wheat, corn and barley. Grain provides calories and protein.

From Farm to Processer

Chickens are shipped to the processing plants in trucks designed for carrying poultry. At the processing plant, every chicken is checked by an inspector. The inspector makes sure the chickens are healthy and safe to eat before the slaughter.

References: www.chickmaster/scripts/start.exe/chickmaster.html