Animal welfare standards
Our commitment to animal welfare is fundamental to our operations. We believe that the quality of our products is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing of our birds. As such, we’ve implemented stringent standards to ensure that our chickens are raised in environments that promote their health and happiness.
High Standards for Living Conditions
- Our birds are afforded freedom of movement in conditions that mimic their natural habitat.
- The air in our facilities is continuously ventilated and temperature-controlled.
- Lighting is designed to replicate day and night conditions, ensuring our chickens receive seven hours of uninterrupted rest to promote optimal health.
High-Quality Feed for Our Chickens
- The cornerstone of our chickens’ health is their diet. We produce the well-balanced and nutritious feed ourselves, sourcing raw materials from local farmers.
- Our feed includes locally grown wheat, corn, and oils from rapeseed or sunflowers, providing a robust diet.
- Protein is sourced from sustainably and responsibly cultivated soya, as is attested by Pro-Terra certification.
- Continuous feedback from our poultry houses allows for the development of tailored feed, ensuring each bird receives exactly what it needs for healthy growth.
Antibiotic-Free Approach
- We lead the way in the Baltics and are among the few in Europe raising chickens with reduced antibiotic use. Our approach has for the last few years enabled us to ensure that 100% of the chickens at Ķekava Foods are raised without any contact with antibiotics, a fact that is also highlighted on our product packaging as “raised without antibiotics.”
- Despite the prevalent use of antibiotics in poultry farming, which poses the risk of antibiotic resistance affecting public health, we’ve established a system that supports chickens’ natural growth without relying on antibiotic treatments.
Read more: Raised without antibiotics
Animal Welfare Policy
1. Freedom from thirst, hungry and malnutrition by ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor.
All animals are provided free access to feed and drinking water whenever the animals feel hungry or thirsty. Animal nutrition is balanced with animal physiological needs that is appropriate to their species and suitable in accordance with the relevant animal breeder recommendations
2. Freedom from fear and distress
By ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering. We provide animals with gentle and attentive care throughout growing period, during transportation to the slaughterhouse, and during the slaughter process.
3. Freedom from physical and thermal discomfort
By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
We provide a safe and comfortable living space for animals protecting them from frost, rain, draft, extreme temperatures and predators. They are raised in large, open broiler houses. The houses are well-equipped with mechanical systems to deliver feed and water to the birds and have environmental systems to provide a comfortable and protective environment, including ventilation systems and heaters. Rest period is provided including the period of darkness.
4. Freedom from pain, injury and disease
By prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
We provide constant monitoring of animals, husbandry, and veterinary care, as well as the humane treatment of sick animals and slaughter animals. Throughout the lifetime, the animal growth and development is monitored by trained, qualified personnel. Animal health surveillance, disease prevention and control are performed by certified veterinarians.
5. Freedom to express normal behavior
By providing sufficient space, proper facilities, and company of the animal’s own kind.
We provide animals with dry, clean, and soft bedding for well-being.
How chickens grow?
Click to discover the progression of how our chickens grow, from birth to maturity. Witness each key milestone in their development through our interactive calendar.
