Can chickens recognise their owners?
There is research that points to chickens being able to recognise over 100 different faces - so they could quite easily learn to know who brings them their breakfast and dinner!
What can I do to support human chicken farming practises?
There are many ways to support best-practise chicken farming. We recommend knowing where your chicken products are coming from - find a place you know treats their birds nicely and gives them the best possible life. Ideally, every chicken should be able to roam around freely, have access to the outdoors, lots of sunshine and space to be free and behave naturally.
Where does most chicken meat come from?
Most of the meat we eat comes from a chicken we call a "broiler". This type of chicken has been genetically designed to grow very quickly. They are usually grown in massive warehouses in very cramped conditions with thousands of other birds. They are fed all day and often given all sorts of medicine to prevent them from getting sick. At six weeks old when they are big enough they are slaughtered, processed and packaged as the meat we get on our shelves.
Is it important to have a rooster around the hens?
Yes, roosters are a natural part of a flock of chickens and they serve important roles in the flock. They protect the hens, help them find food, and wake them up early in the morning!
What does battery chicken farming mean?
Most chickens around the world are not truly free-range. Most live in tiny cages their entire lives where they get very little space to move. Often the cages are stacked on top of one another and are indoors so the chickens never go outside or see the sun. The chickens live in these cages until they are no longer needed and are then sold or slaughtered.
Why should more people support free-range chicken farming ?
Free- range chicken farming is a lot more humane and [...]
How long does it take for a chick to hatch?
A chick will hatch after 21 days of consistent incubation at a temperature of around 37.5 degrees celsius. Too hot or too cold and the chick will not form adequately enough to hatch.
Will a hen lay an egg without a rooster?
Yes, a hen does not need to have a rooster around to lay an egg. She will produce an egg every other day all by herself - provided she has adequate nutrition.
Why are some eggs different colours?
Different breeds produce different coloured eggs. Some types of chickens have even been bred specifically to produce a particular colour shell. In South Africa, the Lohmann Brown produces dark brown eggs, while the Potch Koek Koek produces a lighter shelled egg.
