Chicken Facts
New Zealand takes pride in its chicken industry, ensuring high welfare standards, quality products, and sustainable practices from farm to table.
Chicken is New Zealand’s favourite meat
Chicken is the go-to meat choice for Kiwis, with New Zealanders consuming approximately 5kg of chicken per person each year – that’s about 20 whole chickens annually.
Chicken brands
There are a number of leading chicken brands available in supermarkets nationwide including Brinks, Bird & Barrow, Ingham’s, Tegel, Turks, Waitoa, Rangitikei, Bostock’s and more.
Chicken feed
New Zealand chickens are fed locally grown GE free corn. Other ingredients include grains, vitamins and minerals. This ensures the birds receive a nutritionally balanced diet. This contributes to a rich buttery texture that makes chickens so tasty. All chicken farms are carefully monitored ensuring feed, hygiene, animal welfare and the environment meet strict quality standards.
Housing New Zealand chicken
In New Zealand, NO cages are used to house chickens. Chickens are either raised in barns or in barns with outdoor access, known as free range. The growing of chickens is to standards set by an independently established code of welfare.
No hormones here
New Zealand chickens are hormone-free. The use of growth hormones and steroids to enhance growth has been banned in the chicken industry for more than 30 years and records indicate that growth hormones have never been used in New Zealand. Unfortunately, overseas this does happen hence there is a general misperception that New Zealand chicken follows this practice, this is not the case.
Antibiotics and bird health
In New Zealand NO antibiotics are used routinely. NZ chicken has the lowest use of antibiotics of any chicken industry around the world.
Chicken breeding
The use of genetic engineering or modifying is banned in the chicken industry. They use a natural breeding process that looks for certain characteristics. This is the same breeding process used in the lamb, beef and dairy industry.
Chicken standards
the welfare of New Zealand chickens is a top priority for the industry and all producers are independently audited to ensure they meet the requirements of the Meat Chicken Code of Welfare. Chicken farms adhere to the following principles of animal welfare: good nutrition, good environment, good health, and appropriate behaviour.
Halal chicken
Some New Zealand chicken products are authentic Halal, as certified by FIANZ and HALACS.
Farming facts
New Zealand primarily grows two white-feathered chicken breeds – Ross and Cobb, originating from the UK and USA, respectively, known for their top-notch meat quality.
From farm to table
Every step of a chicken’s journey – from hatchery to plate – is meticulously monitored and regulated, ensuring traceability and adherence to welfare standards.
No pesticides
New Zealand chicken farmers do not use any pesticides on the grass in or around the areas the chicken’s roam.
Industry collaboration
The Poultry Industry Association (PIANZ) represents the interests of more than 99% of poultry meat producers in New Zealand. The poultry industry in New Zealand collaborates closely with veterinarians, government bodies, scientists, and researchers to maintain bird health and ensure disease-free flocks.
