Commercial chicken farming is known for its inhumane treatment of the animals

Well, some poultry, that is. The kind commonly found in supermarkets and wet markets all over Thailand. The kind raised in squalid conditions that are unhealthy for the animal and the people who work with them.

 

Happy chickens

The problem with this kind of poultry has to do with animal welfare. The chickens grow up on unnatural feed that weakens their immune system and makes them susceptible to disease. Sick poultry needs medicine and antibiotics. Their space is limited to restrict movement because the goal is to fatten the poultry – and fast. This, unfortunately, is the problem with poultry in many parts of the world.

Khun Amnart and his farming cooperative

Therefore, it is a pleasure and privilege to work with the farmers who do things differently. This organic chicken cooperative in Nakhon Pathom province, for instance. Led by Khun Amnart, a group of farmers have created a cooperative where they breed and raise chickens.

The chickens eat natural feed

Via trial and error, they have identified the best ways to raise healthy chickens using organic feed and natural farming methods. As a result, the chickens feed on a mixture of organic rice bran and fermented vegetation to optimise their natural growth. They’re allowed to roam freely and the farmers don’t use antibiotics or medicine.

The result is a superior product that the farmers can sell at a premium. They use the extra money for more research to improve their practices even more. Consequently, more chickens live and die humanely and more people get to eat healthy and natural chickens.

 

The chickens roam around freely

The result is a superior product that the farmers can sell at a premium. They use the extra money for more research to improve their practices even more. Consequently, more chickens live and die humanely and more people get to eat healthy and natural chickens.