Main points
- Norway has abandoned breeding fast-growing chickens in order to improve animal welfare standards.
- In Ukraine, the abandonment of these breeds in the near future is unlikely due to economic factors and the market's dependence on broilers.
How to give up “turbo chickens” / Photo Unsplash
Norway has officially confirmed its decision to phase out fast-growing chicken breeds due to demands for more humane poultry farming. In Ukraine, experts believe that such a move is unlikely in the near future due to economic factors and the market's dependence on broilers.
Can Ukraine refuse fast-growing chickens?
Norway has decided to abandon the use of fast-growing chicken breeds, explaining this by raising animal welfare standards. Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Alla Hunchak explained in a commentary on Channel 24 that the genetic growth potential of modern broilers is outpacing the development of their internal organs.
According to the scientist, due to too rapid weight gain, which is up to 50-60 grams per day, the bird's skeleton and heart do not have time to strengthen.
Alla Hunchak,
Head of the Laboratory of Physiology, Biochemistry and Poultry Nutrition of the Institute of Animal Biology of the NAAS of Ukraine
Back in 2018-2021, the largest Norwegian supermarket chains, under pressure from animal protection campaigns, completely switched to the Hubbard breed, which grows more slowly: instead of 35-40 days, it takes 46-50 days. This allows the bird to be more active, get sick less often, and have stronger bones.
Despite the fact that Ukrainian legislation and animal welfare standards are approaching European ones, taking into account European integration, there is no talk in Ukraine yet of abandoning the breeding of fast-growing chicken breeds, said poultry expert Oleg Katerynych in a conversation with Channel 24.
In addition, there are no significant changes against the backdrop of the harmonization of legislation and requirements from Europe for Ukrainian industrial poultry farms.
Oleg Katerynych,
Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Chief Researcher of the Scientific and Technical Station of Poultry Farming of the NAAS
At the moment, it is only known that the density of poultry has changed. Previously, 16 chickens were allowed to be kept per square meter, but now it is 12.
At the same time, Hunchak also notes that a similar situation in Ukraine regarding the abandonment of fast-growing chicken breeds is unlikely. But in the future, for the next 5 or 10 years, it is inevitable.
Pay attention! According to the expert's forecasts, Ukraine has a lower purchasing power than Norway. This, she said, is due to the fact that slow-growing chicken breeds consume 15-25% more feed per 1 kilogram of meat, which automatically increases the price of chicken. “And for most Ukrainians, for whom chicken is the main source of protein, such a price increase will be critical.”
Ukrainian chicken and feed banned: why did Moldova restrict their import?
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Moldova has imposed a temporary ban on the import of Ukrainian chicken and feed due to the detection of the banned antibiotic metronidazole in one of the feed samples.
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Ukrainian producers consider Moldova's actions biased and call for negotiations, as well as propose using WTO mechanisms to resolve the issue.