The following supermarkets were asked these questions, see their responses below (in alphabetical order).
What are your different ranges of fresh whole chicken and pieces?
Please outline the welfare conditions of the chickens in these different ranges (ACP standard, Freedom Food, Free-range, Organic etc.), what breed are the birds? At what age are they slaughtered? What is the stocking density at which they are kept?
Please outline the welfare conditions of the chickens in these different ranges (ACP standard, Freedom Food, Free-range, Organic etc.), what breed are the birds? At what age are they slaughtered? What is the stocking density at which they are kept?
ASDA
Standard, Cornfed, Organic and Free Range
All our standard fresh ASDA (brand) chicken is British and clearly labelled with the little Red Tractor logo guaranteeing it meets strict farm assurance standards.
They are reared in barns that provide warm, dry housing with straw or wood shavings bedding, heating and fresh air controlled by ventilation systems, and have full access to food and fresh drinking water.
We also sell free range and organic chickens in all our stores nationwide, offering an extensive range to meet the palates and pockets of all our customers.
They are reared in barns that provide warm, dry housing with straw or wood shavings bedding, heating and fresh air controlled by ventilation systems, and have full access to food and fresh drinking water.
We also sell free range and organic chickens in all our stores nationwide, offering an extensive range to meet the palates and pockets of all our customers.
Co-operative
In September 2007 The Co-operative replaced standard fresh whole chickens with chickens reared to the higher welfare Elmwood standard. From March 2008, this higher welfare standard will be extended to all Co-operative fresh chicken.
The Co-operative also sells British Freedom Food Free Range chickens under its Truly Irresistible label and British Organic chicken.
The Co-operative also sells British Freedom Food Free Range chickens under its Truly Irresistible label and British Organic chicken.
A dedicated group of British and Northern Irish farmers have been selected to rear chickens to our higher welfare Elmwood standard, exclusively for The Co-operative.
The chickens are housed in naturally ventilated and sunlit barns to give a fresher, brighter more comfortable environment (In excess of Freedom Food standards).
The chickens are given 30% more space than standard chickens to allow them to move around (The same amount of space within the barns as required for Freedom Food and Organic standards).
Each barn is furnished with straw bales, perches and pecking objects to keep the birds stimulated (The same as required for Freedom Food).
Our chickens grow slower through the use of a naturally balanced, high cereal vegetarian diet.
Our chickens will never be given antibiotics unless they are ill and visited by a vet.
Our chickens will never be fed growth promoters or digestive enhancers designed to increase weight gain.
Our chickens have six hours of darkness each day to allow them to rest. 50% more than standard chickens (The same as required for Freedom Food).
The age at which they are slaughtered ranges from 40 days for a very small chicken to 50 days for a larger chicken, depending on the size of chicken needed.
The Freedom Food Free Range chickens are reared to standards written and endorsed by the RSPCA and the Organic chickens are reared to standards written by the Organic Food Federation are the generic standards used by everybody.
The chickens are housed in naturally ventilated and sunlit barns to give a fresher, brighter more comfortable environment (In excess of Freedom Food standards).
The chickens are given 30% more space than standard chickens to allow them to move around (The same amount of space within the barns as required for Freedom Food and Organic standards).
Each barn is furnished with straw bales, perches and pecking objects to keep the birds stimulated (The same as required for Freedom Food).
Our chickens grow slower through the use of a naturally balanced, high cereal vegetarian diet.
Our chickens will never be given antibiotics unless they are ill and visited by a vet.
Our chickens will never be fed growth promoters or digestive enhancers designed to increase weight gain.
Our chickens have six hours of darkness each day to allow them to rest. 50% more than standard chickens (The same as required for Freedom Food).
The age at which they are slaughtered ranges from 40 days for a very small chicken to 50 days for a larger chicken, depending on the size of chicken needed.
The Freedom Food Free Range chickens are reared to standards written and endorsed by the RSPCA and the Organic chickens are reared to standards written by the Organic Food Federation are the generic standards used by everybody.
Marks & Spencer
We continue to lead the way in poultry welfare with all of our fresh chickens being slower growing British Oakham chickens from known dedicated farms.
Oakham chicken is exclusive to us . We insist that the birds have the required space, environmental enrichment, light and are slower grown - as recommended by the RSPCA. We also sell Free-range Oakham chicken and Organic chicken.
We care passionately about the welfare of the chicken we sell . This applies to our eggs too - we are the only UK retailer to only sell free range eggs (since 1997) and only ever use free range egg as an ingredient in our prepared food (since 2002) – this applies to the pastry in our pies right down the to the glaze on our sausage rolls.
Our continued commitment to raising the standards of animal welfare was recently recognised by Compassion in World Farming, who named Marks and Spencer Compassionate Supermarket for 2007/08 (and also in 2005/2006), and by the RSPCA in their Good Business Awards 2007.
Oakham chicken is exclusive to us . We insist that the birds have the required space, environmental enrichment, light and are slower grown - as recommended by the RSPCA. We also sell Free-range Oakham chicken and Organic chicken.
We care passionately about the welfare of the chicken we sell . This applies to our eggs too - we are the only UK retailer to only sell free range eggs (since 1997) and only ever use free range egg as an ingredient in our prepared food (since 2002) – this applies to the pastry in our pies right down the to the glaze on our sausage rolls.
Our continued commitment to raising the standards of animal welfare was recently recognised by Compassion in World Farming, who named Marks and Spencer Compassionate Supermarket for 2007/08 (and also in 2005/2006), and by the RSPCA in their Good Business Awards 2007.
Morrisons
We offer our customers a choice of British poultry products representing quality and value, sourced from reputable suppliers producing to recognised standards, including the largest and best value range of RSPCA Freedom Food poultry of any major retailer, as well as organic and free range options. We take animal welfare extremely seriously and are currently working with suppliers to further extend our range of Freedom Food poultry products.
Additional Information:
• All of our own brand fresh and frozen chicken (whole and portions) is British.
• We are the only major retailer to sell an own brand RSPCA Freedom Food accredited chicken range (called Wye Valley) at a price close to standard own brand chicken, aiming to encourage customers to buy a higher welfare product.
• Our target is for 100% of own brand eggs to be free range by 2010.
• We have a policy in place for only free range eggs to be used as an ingredient in Morrisons The Best range products and this is labelled as such on packaging. We are currently investigating the feasibility of extending this policy to other own brand products.
Additional Information:
• All of our own brand fresh and frozen chicken (whole and portions) is British.
• We are the only major retailer to sell an own brand RSPCA Freedom Food accredited chicken range (called Wye Valley) at a price close to standard own brand chicken, aiming to encourage customers to buy a higher welfare product.
• Our target is for 100% of own brand eggs to be free range by 2010.
• We have a policy in place for only free range eggs to be used as an ingredient in Morrisons The Best range products and this is labelled as such on packaging. We are currently investigating the feasibility of extending this policy to other own brand products.
| Range: | Origin: | Accreditation schemes: | Label: | Stocking density/Animal welfare conditions: |
| Morrisons fresh chicken (whole and portions) | 100% British | Assured Chicken Production accredited (ACP) | Red Tractor logo. British flag |
We require that all poultry suppliers follow Assured Chicken Production (ACP) standards which specify stocking densities at a maximum of 38 kg/m². |
| Morrisons Wye Valley - this product is unique to Morrisons | 100% British Slower growing bird |
RSPCA Freedom Food accredited | Red Tractor logo RSPCA Freedom Food logo British flag |
We are the only major retailer to sell an own brand RSPCA Freedom Food accredited chicken range (called Wye Valley) at a price close to a standard own brand chicken, aiming to encourage customers to buy a higher welfare product. Have access to straw bales and footballs to create stimulus. As per Freedom Food standards, which specify a stocking density of 30kg/m². |
| Morrisons Corn-Fed Chicken | 100% British Slower growing bird |
RSPCA Freedom Food accredited | Red Tractor logo RSPCA Freedom Food logo British flag |
Have access to straw bales and footballs to create stimulus. As per Freedom Food standards, which specify a stocking density of 30kg/m². |
| Morrisons Free range Chicken | 100% British Slower growing bird |
RSPCA Free Range Freedom Food accredited | Red Tractor logo RSPCA Freedom Food logo British flag |
As per Freedom Food standards the maximum stocking density is 27.5kg/m² for indoor space, with continuous daytime access to outside open runs of 1 m²/per bird. |
| Morrisons Organic Chicken | 100% British Slower growing bird |
Soil Association | Red Tractor logo Soil Association logo British flag |
As per Soil Association standards (rather than Organic Farmers and Growers) the maximum stocking density is 30kg/m² for indoor space with birds reared in small colonies of around 500, spending most of their lives outdoors in open space of 4 m²/per bird. |
Sainsbury's
Whole Chicken
Basics
Fresh British Small, Medium and large standard chicken
West Country Corn Fed Chicken
Taste the difference Free Range Chicken
SO organic Chicken
Poussin
Chicken Pieces
Basics and Fresh British Chicken including Breast pieces, Breast fillets, Leg and drums portions
West Country Corn Fed Chicken including Skin on and Skin off Breast Fillet, Leg, drum and thigh portions.
Taste the difference Free Range Breast fillets, legs, drums and thighs.
SO organic Breast fillets, legs and thigh fillets.
Spatchcock Poussin
Basics
Fresh British Small, Medium and large standard chicken
West Country Corn Fed Chicken
Taste the difference Free Range Chicken
SO organic Chicken
Poussin
Chicken Pieces
Basics and Fresh British Chicken including Breast pieces, Breast fillets, Leg and drums portions
West Country Corn Fed Chicken including Skin on and Skin off Breast Fillet, Leg, drum and thigh portions.
Taste the difference Free Range Breast fillets, legs, drums and thighs.
SO organic Breast fillets, legs and thigh fillets.
Spatchcock Poussin
Basics and Standard Chicken is reared indoors to Assured Chicken Production standards using the Ross 308 chicken which has a life of 39 days and is reared at a maximum stocking density of 38kg/square metre.
West Country Corn Fed Chicken is reared indoors to Freedom Foods Standards using a Devonshire Red (Slower growing breed) which has a life of 49 days and is reared at a maximum stocking density of 30kg/square metre.
Taste the difference Chicken is free-range and reared in conditions that are equivalent (but currently not certified) to Freedom Foods using a Devonshire Red (Slower growing breed) which has a life of 56 days.
SO organic Chicken is free range reared to Soil Association organic standards using a Devonshire Red (Slower growing breed). The chicken lives for 71 days.
Poussin is reared indoors to Assured Chicken Production standards using a number of Ross varieties at a stocking density of 30kg/sqaure metre. They have a life of between 21-28days.
West Country Corn Fed Chicken is reared indoors to Freedom Foods Standards using a Devonshire Red (Slower growing breed) which has a life of 49 days and is reared at a maximum stocking density of 30kg/square metre.
Taste the difference Chicken is free-range and reared in conditions that are equivalent (but currently not certified) to Freedom Foods using a Devonshire Red (Slower growing breed) which has a life of 56 days.
SO organic Chicken is free range reared to Soil Association organic standards using a Devonshire Red (Slower growing breed). The chicken lives for 71 days.
Poussin is reared indoors to Assured Chicken Production standards using a number of Ross varieties at a stocking density of 30kg/sqaure metre. They have a life of between 21-28days.
Somerfield
Somerfield offers its customers the choice of Simply Value, Somerfield own brand, Somerfield's Best Ever and free range chicken. The local grocer is committed to offering shoppers quality fresh meat produced to British Farm Assured Standards - with independent monitoring of animal welfare - and to improving these standards in line with the industry and customer demand.
All of Somerfield's own brand fresh poultry is reared to the standards set by British Farm Assured Standards - the Red Tractor scheme. Where poultry is sourced from outside the UK but from within the EU the farms are benchmarked and monitored against the British Farm Assured Standard scheme.
Somerfield Best Ever Corn Fed Chicken is reared to the high standards set by the RSPCA Freedom Food scheme to produce premium quality fresh corn fed chicken . These higher standards include environmental enrichments including straw bales, perches, balls and lower density sheds.
Somerfield also sells a range of branded free range poultry.
Somerfield Best Ever Corn Fed Chicken is reared to the high standards set by the RSPCA Freedom Food scheme to produce premium quality fresh corn fed chicken . These higher standards include environmental enrichments including straw bales, perches, balls and lower density sheds.
Somerfield also sells a range of branded free range poultry.
Tesco
Value chicken, Standard chicken, Free Range, Organic and Willow Farm , which is a more affordable welfare friendly option.
| Value | Standard | Willow Farm (A more affordable welfare friendly option) | Standard Free-range | Finest* Free-range | Organic | |
| Age of birds at slaughter | 38-49 days– will depend on weight requirements | 38-49 days – will depend on weight requirements | 40-44 days – will depend on weight requirements | Minimum 56 days | Minimum 56 days | Minimum 70 days |
| Breed | Any Aviagen (Cobb not permitted) | Any Aviagen (Cobb not permitted) | Aviagen 708 (Cobb not permitted)- slower growing strain | Aviagen 508/708 (Cobb not permitted) | Mix of Aviagen 708/Hubbard Flex (Cobb not permitted) | Defined slow growing strain |
| Stocking Density | Planned stocking density of 34-36kg/ m2. Absolute Max. 38kg/m2 | Planned stocking density of 34-36kg/ m2. Absolute Max. 38kg/m2 | Absolute Max. 30kg/ m2 | Absolute Max 27.5kg/sq m2 | Absolute Max. 27.5kg/m2 | Absolute Max 30kg/m2 (mobiles) Sites built prior to Aug 1999 – max 27.5kg/ m2 Sites built after Aug 1999 max 21kg/ m2 |
| Diet | Wheat, non-GM soya, fishmeal, Vitamins and mineral | Wheat, non-GM soya, fishmeal, Vitamins and mineral | Wheat, non-GM soya, oats or maize, Vitamins and mineral | Wheat, non-GM soya, fishmeal, Vitamins and mineral | Maize (min 50%), wheat, non-GM soya, vitamins and minerals | Certified organic diet |
| Farm Assurance scheme | Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco Livestock code of practice for chicken | Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco Livestock code of practice for chicken | Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco Livestock code of practice (LCOP) for chicken. Straw bales for perching and windows to allow natural daylight |
Freedom Food (RSPCA) accredited, plus Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco LCOP. Access to outside for half their life. Straw bales + foraging outdoors |
Freedom Food (RSPCA) accredited, plus Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco LCOP Access to outside for half their life. Straw bales + foraging outdoors |
Organic scheme accredited. Access to outside for 1/3 of life + shelters and foraging outdoors |
| We have a dedicated agricultural team to ensure that all animals are reared for Tesco in a humane and compassionate manner. We are the only major supermarket to carry out independent third-party inspections as our own audits to ensure our standards are being met. | ||||||
Waitrose
We do not sell standard 'cheap' chicken at Waitrose. Our range of chicken is organic, free range and Waitrose Select Farm (our entry level product).
Our Select Farm Chickens have 20% fewer birds in each flock than the industry standard. Our stocking density is the same as RSPCA Freedom Foods standards which gives birds room to move around. All Waitrose Select Farm sheds have large windows giving birds natural daylight, and longer rest periods at night. Chickens are given hay bales to peck at to offer a more stimulating environment.
We made very significant changes within our chicken farming in September 2006. We believe that real value is a balance between quality, price and high animal welfare.
Our work in this area contributed towards us winning the Supermarket of the Year title in the RSPCA Good Business Awards.
For breadth of choice, we also offer Poulet d'Or chicken, a corn-fed, free range chicken, produced exclusively for Waitrose in small flocks on southern English farms (including at our own farm, Leckford).
Our Select Farm Chickens have 20% fewer birds in each flock than the industry standard. Our stocking density is the same as RSPCA Freedom Foods standards which gives birds room to move around. All Waitrose Select Farm sheds have large windows giving birds natural daylight, and longer rest periods at night. Chickens are given hay bales to peck at to offer a more stimulating environment.
We made very significant changes within our chicken farming in September 2006. We believe that real value is a balance between quality, price and high animal welfare.
Our work in this area contributed towards us winning the Supermarket of the Year title in the RSPCA Good Business Awards.
For breadth of choice, we also offer Poulet d'Or chicken, a corn-fed, free range chicken, produced exclusively for Waitrose in small flocks on southern English farms (including at our own farm, Leckford).