ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE: POULTRY
All poultry production at HKFoods is carried out as contract farming, in close cooperation with farmers. We offer guidance and training to our contract farmers. In addition, broiler welfare is closely monitored by HKFoods poultry healthcare veterinarian. Our broiler farms are located in Western Finland, a short distance from our unit in Rauma.
We work to improve health and welfare of production animals at all stages of the production value chain, in cooperation with authorities, breeding, primary producers and transportation partners. Treating animals well is important to us for various reasons: it corresponds to our ethical principles and supports responsibility of our operations, leading to profitable growth.
Animal welfare based on good care
Pecking, bathing and sufficient rest are an important part of the natural behavior of broilers. Broilers move actively, pecking as they seek for food. Even though they get food from a feeder, they still love to go around pecking. During the day, broilers rest on dry litter. The rest time is minimum six hours.
Broilers enjoy dust or soil bathing to keep their feathers in good condition and to maintain thermoregulation. Broilers are observant animals: they follow closely the reactions and behavior of the fellow flock members. Their natural behavior also includes fluttering and stretching their wings, and flight exercises.