The Danes cut out fast-growing chicken
Two of Denmark’s largest chicken slaughterhouses, HKScan and Danpo, are in the process of making production from fast-growing chicken to slow-growing chicken breeds, writes Denmark’s radio.
Danpo will produce at least 40 million of the slow-growing chickens annually, says Jacob Roland Pedersen, director of live production and veterinary matters at the chicken producer.
– There is no doubt that the trend, especially in Western Europe and Denmark, is towards welfare production, and we want to be a leader in this. We have made a choice to participate in this development together with our customers, he says to the Danish state channel.
Within three years, the so-called “turbo chickens” must be completely gone at Danpo.
– Slow-growing chickens are one of the welfare aspects that consumers are concerned about and will pay extra for, because it costs more to buy a welfare chicken, says Roland Pedersen.
One of the chicken farmers who has already started with a slow-growing chicken breed is Jakob Dalby from Vognsild in northern Denmark. He previously had conventional production.
– I notice a clear difference. They are lighter for legs and are more mobile because they have more time to grow and develop bones and muscles. I feel that it is a difference, so it is a satisfaction for me, says Dalby to Danmarks Radio.