Difference between free range and organic chicken.
Organic and free-range certifications cover different
aspects of raising chickens for food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture operates
the National Organic Program to develop standards for organic agricultural
production and implement them nationally. The Food Safety and Inspection
Service evaluate and approve other types of poultry labelling, including the
"free-range" label.
Organic Certification
Organic chicken must be fed only
certified organic feed, which is grown without artificial fertilizers or
pesticides, from the time they are two days old. They may not receive hormones
or antibiotics at any time, though they may receive vaccinations to prevent
common diseases. Though they may be kept inside temporarily for specific
purposes like medical treatment or to protect the quality of soil or water,
they must be given reasonable access to the outdoors.
Free-Range Certification
In order to label chicken as
free-range, producers must demonstrate through affidavits or testimonials that
their poultry have free, continuous access to the outdoors for more than half
of their lives. The free-range label is slightly controversial, since some
producers insist that the label applies even if the birds do not actually go
outdoors very much or at all - they merely need the option to go outside. Other
producers think it should only apply if the birds make use of the outdoor area.
