Making things clear: Science-based reasons that chickens are not fed growth hormones
Published:August 24, 2017
By:Yajaira Esquivel-Hernandez 1, Ricardo E. Ahumada-Cota 1, Matias Attene-Ramos 2, Christine Z. Alvarado 3, Pilar Castaneda-Serrano 4, Gerardo M. Nava 1.
/ 1 Department of Food Sciences, Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro, Mexico; 2 Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada; 3 Department of Poultry Science Department, Texas A&M University, USA; 4 Department of Poultry Science, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico.
Summary
ABSTRACT
Background: Global public concerns about “industrial agriculture” have widely disseminated amongst consumers the myth that chickens are fed growth hormones to produce meat more efficiently. This misleading information regarding the use of hormones in chickens is now a growing health concern among consumer groups.
Scope and Approach: Worldwide, the poultry industry relies on science and technology to define new strategies to improve the health, welfare and performance of animals in production. In this report, we performed a detailed analysis of the poultry science literature and provide the scientific bases explaining why chickens are not fed hormones.
Key Findings and Conclusions: The use of growth hormones in poultry meat production does not occur because i) they are too expensive to be used in chickens, ii) they do not promote growth in poultry and iii) their use is illegal in many countries. Therefore, health providers, policy makers, food professionals, consumer advocates, food producers and veterinarians can use this information to educate consumers and eliminate negative concerns related to hormone use in the poultry industry.
Improvement in nutrition, genetic and rearing management causes high performance in broiler, broiler breeder and layer. In broiler increasing body weight 40 gr per year is achieved easily.
Absolutely correct no need of using any hormones for today's breeds, thanks to the genetic and nutrition technology we could reach the tremendous potential of the chicken where we are seeing 2kg plus body weight in 34 days in broilers and 340 eggs in commercial layers. It's, in fact, our responsibility to educate, create awareness how could we achieve this. It's not a consumers mistake for what they are thinking about the usage of hormones because what they are seeing country birds or backyard poultry will grow 1kg in 70 days so they are under that impression, so it's poultry industry responsibility to educate consumers.
Poultry industry is based on scientific base and extensive studies .No product is added to poultry without scientific study.I have been working in the poultry industry for more than 33 years no hormones were added to poultry.
Nutritionist required to search good sources of protein and energy reduced days from 40 growth pattern above 2kg is a tremendous improvement in poultry industry but for faster growth hormones therapy by enzymes can reduce.
More awareness is needed through TV, Media and so on to change the negative and incorrect information regarding this issue. Genetics + Nutrition + Management = High performance of the bird.
Greetings
There is need for more awareness about this issue for the public. The erroneous believe in the society is that ''Agric Chickens'' are fed with chemicals and hormones. There may also be the need to conduct risk assessment and publish the outcome for the satisfaction of the public.
There is no need for whatsoever reason adding growth hormone to poultry fed. Even though due to ignorance of the public health implications would do that. It is important to educate the major players in poultry industry, more especially in the under developed nations.
As rightly pointed out, hormone usage is banned in most countries. The improved performance in growth and quality is basically due to gene selection and improved management system.
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