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.

THE CORNERSTONES OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE

We follow animal welfare research and legislation and constantly improve the level of animal welfare.

The development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a global concern, making our work in minimizing the use of antibiotics particularly important. Animals that are ill should always be treated, The good vaccination coverage of the mother broilers, the strict biosecurity measures of the breeders and the good rearing conditions of the broilers contribute to their well-being and health.

WELLFARE QUALITY PROJECT

HKFoods participated in the Welfare Quality^®project where the Welfare Quality^®principles were created.

These factors are the basis for good animal health and welfare at HKFoods:

Feeding: no prolonged thirst or hunger
Housing: comfortable thermal and resting conditions, ease of movement
Health: no injuries, no disease, no painful management procedures
Behavior: opportunity for natural behavior, good relationship between people and animals

A LIGHTER CARBON FOOTPRINT

The carbon footprint result of broilers calculated from the data of 2022 was 2.2 kg CO₂e per kilogram of live weight of the animal.* The calculations are based on the latest ISO standardized methods and IPCC calculation guidelines. The calculation takes into account the carbon footprint of production from the field to the gate of the production facility. In addition to carbon dioxide, the carbon footprint includes, among other things, methane and nitrous oxide converted into carbon dioxide equivalents.

* The results are reported as mass-allocated kg CO₂e / kg live weight.