Claire Thompson
Chicken farming has been a part of New Zealand for a long time, with records showing that James Cook gave hens to Māori in the North and South Islands as early as 1773. Today, chicken is the most commonly consumed land animal in New Zealand, with each person eating 20 chickens per year. To meet this demand, there are around 180 chicken farms across the country, employing 3500 people. However, the methods used for chicken farming and slaughter in New Zealand have been criticised for causing animal suffering and health issues in chickens due to overcrowding and unnatural growth rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of chicken farms | 180 |
| Number of people employed | 3500 |
| Number of chickens bred and killed for meat annually | Over 120 million |
| Average number of chickens per person consumed annually | 20 |
| Number of chickens in each shed | 25,000–45,000 |
| Percentage of chickens raised in free-range production systems | 1.4% |
| Number of chickens in free-range sheds | Upwards of 35,000 |
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What You'll Learn
There are around 180 chicken farms in New Zealand
However, there are concerns about the welfare of chickens in New Zealand. Chickens raised for meat are often kept in large barns or windowless sheds, with up to 40,000 birds packed closely together. This overcrowding can lead to health issues and restrict the birds' ability to move and perform their normal behaviours. While free-range chicken farming is an option, there are currently no industry standards or regulations, and even these farms can house upwards of 35,000 birds.
The rapid growth rate of commercially bred chickens in New Zealand has also been a cause for concern. These chickens are bred to reach slaughter weight in just six weeks, which can lead to health issues such as heart disease, leg disorders, and lameness. The combination of overcrowding and health problems can make it difficult for chickens to access the outdoors, even on free-range farms.
Despite these challenges, the New Zealand poultry industry continues to thrive, with chickens being the most commonly consumed land animal in the country. The industry adheres to a government-mandated code of welfare and works closely with vets, government, scientists, and researchers to maintain high standards of bird health and disease prevention.
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Chickens are kept in barns or free-range
In New Zealand, chickens are kept in barns or allowed to free-range. The country has around 180 poultry farms that employ about 3500 people. The poultry industry in New Zealand is known for its high standards of training, stockmanship, and systems, making it a desirable place to raise chickens.
Meat chickens in New Zealand are typically kept in large barns with access to food and water. Each barn can house 25,000–45,000 chicks, who are raised until they reach the ideal weight, usually within 32–42 days. While free-range chicken farming is also practised, it accounts for only about 1.4% of meat chickens in the country. These chickens have access to an outdoor area or range, but there are no legal requirements for the amount of outdoor space each chicken must have.
Free-range chicken farming offers benefits such as natural pest control, as chickens love "the hunt" and can keep unwanted pests away from farms. It also promotes chicken health and fitness, as free-ranging chickens tend to stay active and roam around the farm during the day. However, free-ranging chickens are susceptible to daytime predators, including hawks, eagles, foxes, and domestic pets.
Barn-kept chickens are typically started in a safe, indoor environment, such as a brooder, where they are provided with a balanced diet, clean water, and protection from predators. After about six weeks, when they are fully feathered, they may be moved outside to a coop, where they can gradually adjust to the outdoor environment. This practice helps prevent issues such as hens eating chick feed and chicks consuming layer feed.
Overall, the decision to keep chickens in barns or allow them to free-range depends on various factors, including the farmer's preferences, the climate, and the level of protection offered by each method. Both methods are prevalent in New Zealand, with barn-kept chickens being the more common practice due to the country's focus on high welfare standards and disease-free status.
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Free-range farms are located in Waikato
New Zealand's poultry industry comprises about 180 farms, with chickens being the most dominant. Meat chickens are typically raised in large barns where they have access to food and water and can move about freely. While most meat chickens are raised in barns, about 1.4% are raised in free-range production systems.
Free-range chicken farms are located in Waikato, where the rolling green hills, rich soils, and great growing conditions create an ideal environment for free-range poultry farming. The farms in Waikato are equipped with state-of-the-art barns that protect the chickens from predators and inclement weather at night. Each morning, the barns open, allowing the chickens to roam freely in the paddocks, forage, and explore the outdoors.
The farmers in Waikato are dedicated to ensuring the chickens' comfort and well-being. They conduct daily inspections of the barns, monitoring temperature profiles, food, and water consumption. The chickens have ample space to roam, with access to trees for shelter, and they can choose to return to the barns for food, water, or protection from harsh weather. This balance between indoor and outdoor spaces is a key aspect of free-range farming, providing the chickens with the freedom to explore while ensuring their overall welfare.
The commitment to animal welfare in Waikato's free-range farms has been recognised by the SPCA, with Waitoa chicken receiving SPCA Certified® accreditation. Additionally, these farms prioritise sustainability, focusing on water management and soil health to maintain the long-term productivity and health of the land. The farmers' dedication to the well-being of their flocks and the environment reflects their passion for putting the chickens' needs first.
Overall, the free-range farms in Waikato exemplify New Zealand's leadership in chicken farming. With their focus on animal welfare, sustainability, and optimal growing conditions, these farms ensure that their chickens lead healthy and comfortable lives, contributing to the high standards that have come to be associated with New Zealand's poultry industry.
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Each shed contains 25,000-45,000 chicks
In New Zealand, the poultry industry has 180 farms that employ 3500 people. The country's temperate climate, advanced systems, and disease-free status make it an ideal place to raise chickens. After hatching, chicks are transported to meat chicken farms, where they are kept in large barns with access to food and water. Notably, each shed houses approximately 25,000 to 45,000 chicks, depending on the size and targeted processing weight. This practice of housing a large number of chicks in one space necessitates beak tipping to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism.
The chicks remain in the sheds until they reach the ideal weight, which typically takes 32 to 42 days. During this time, they are provided with ample space to move about and are monitored closely. The farmers ensure the chicks' comfort and health by regularly inspecting the barns, including factors such as temperature, food intake, and water consumption.
While most chicks are raised in barns, about 1.4% of meat chickens in New Zealand are reared in free-range production systems. In these setups, chickens have access to outdoor areas, enjoying the freedom to roam, forage, and rest as they please. The barns remain open during the day, providing chickens with the option to return inside for food, drink, or shelter from inclement weather.
The number of chicks per shed is a crucial aspect of chicken farming in New Zealand. With each shed accommodating a significant number of chicks, efficient management practices are essential to ensure the health and well-being of the chicks. This includes considerations such as space allocation, feeding, and maintaining optimal environmental conditions. By adhering to these practices, farmers can contribute to the overall success of New Zealand's poultry industry, which plays a significant role in supplying chicken meat to both domestic and international markets.
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Overcrowding and health issues are common in chicken farms
There are around 180 chicken farms in New Zealand, employing 3500 people. Overcrowding and health issues are common concerns in the chicken farming industry, and these issues are not unique to New Zealand.
Chicken farms can house a large number of birds, with each shed containing 25,000–45,000 chicks. This overcrowding can cause stress in chickens, leading to immunosuppression and a range of health issues. Overcrowding stress can decrease macrophage activity and increase the risk of Salmonella Enteritidis invasion in broiler chickens. It can also induce enteritis and decrease plasma IgG levels, compromising the intestinal immune barrier and increasing susceptibility to pathogenic bacteria.
The intensive breeding and farming practices used to maximize profit often come at the cost of the birds' welfare and natural behaviours. Chickens in such environments are more prone to disorders of the skeletal and metabolic systems, as well as osteoporosis and bone fractures in laying hens. Additionally, the close quarters can lead to feather pecking and cannibalism, resulting in beak tipping practices that further impact the birds' health and ability to forage.
Chicken farms also have a significant environmental footprint, impacting the health of workers, nearby residents, and consumers. Emissions from chicken farms, including ammonia, nitrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide, can cause respiratory issues, headaches, nausea, and an increased risk of cancer. The waste generated, such as litter and manure, can contain harmful substances like pesticide residues, microorganisms, pathogens, antibiotics, and hormones, which pose risks to both animal and human health if not properly managed.
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Frequently asked questions
There are around 180 chicken farms in New Zealand.
Each shed on a chicken farm in New Zealand contains 25,000-45,000 chicks, with around 40,000 chickens in each dimly lit shed.
The conditions for chickens on farms in New Zealand vary. Chickens are either raised in barns or free-range. Free-range chickens are able to access the outdoors, however, due to overcrowding and health problems, most chickens on free-range farms are not physically able to go outside. Chickens kept in sheds live in dirty and overcrowded conditions, with little space to move around.
