A model for ethical poultry
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A model for ethical poultry

The Farm Champion Project is promoting better chicken farming practices by focusing on animal welfare and sustainability

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
Paew Pirom of WAP Thailand. World Animal Protection Thailand
Paew Pirom of WAP Thailand. World Animal Protection Thailand

While chicken on a plate may look perfect, the reality of its life in a factory farm is totally different. Factory farmed chickens are crammed into overcrowded and stressful environments, which leads to fear and anxiety. Many of these chickens are also overweight, which makes them unable to even walk or move as their legs are deformed.

To elevate chicken farming standards in Thailand, World Animal Protection (WAP) Thailand collaborated with the School of Animal Technology and Innovation, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), to launch the Farm Champion Project, which focuses on promoting high welfare chicken farming.

The Farm Champion Project provided over 1,000 Korat chickens to 11 farms across six provinces to encourage small-scale farmers to adopt high welfare farming practices under the concept of "Good Life Standards".

Paew Pirom, food systems campaign manager at WAP Thailand, said that industrial chicken farming causes immense suffering to billions of chickens annually in Thailand. The Farm Champion Project aims to end the suffering of industrially farmed chickens and pioneer ethical and sustainable food production.

"The Farm Champion Project is an animal-centric project that aims to elevate chicken farming in Thailand. Since it is difficult to change industrial chicken farms, WAP Thailand started by encouraging small scale farmers to adopt high welfare farming practices," said Paew.

'Farm Champion Market, Gai Ngam Phro Khon' will be held this Saturday.  World Animal Protection Thailand

'Farm Champion Market, Gai Ngam Phro Khon' will be held this Saturday. World Animal Protection Thailand

"Animal welfare means treating animals like they matter. Chickens deserve a good living environment and a better life. Before they become meals, we want to ensure their well-being and happiness."

Most people are not concerned about the living conditions of animals that become their lunch. But Paew pointed out that animal welfare is connected to the quality of our food and our environment.

"In factory farms, chickens have abnormally large bodies resulting in an inability to stand or walk. They spend most of their lives sitting among their own faeces. They only have the space of A4 paper to live and are never exposed to sunlight, causing them to be extremely vulnerable to diseases," said Paew.

"Due to the large number of chickens, sick ones do not typically receive individual medication and are not isolated. Instead, antibiotics are often mixed into the feed and given to all the chickens, thus potentially creating antibiotic residues in the meat which can increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance in humans. The overuse of antibiotics can contaminate water sources around the factory farms and communities.

"In contrast, the Farm Champion Project does not use antibiotics or chemicals. Chickens in the project are able to live natural lives and enjoy basic welfare standards such as a clean and safe environment. There are no excessively fat chickens which may cause negative effects on consumers. The entire food production process can be traced from the first day that a chicken is raised until the day it is slaughtered."

Asst Prof Wittawat Molee. World Animal Protection Thailand

Asst Prof Wittawat Molee. World Animal Protection Thailand

Since the Farm Champion Project enhances the quality of life of chickens, people may assume that it requires a higher investment compared to factory farms. In fact, factory farms require an investment of 1 million to 10 million baht, while the Farm Champion Project requires an investment of no more than 100,000 baht.

"Farmers who have agreements with farm factories must follow factory standards. For example, they are required to build a closed poultry house system which requires an investment of millions of baht. However, the Farm Champion Project requires only a certain amount of space. If a farmer has the required amount of space, WAP Thailand will build a free-range chicken coop for the farmer. After that, specialists will provide them with knowledge and information on how to raise high welfare chickens," Paew explained.

As lead researcher for the Farm Champion Project and a lecturer at the School Animal Technology and Innovation at Suranaree University of Technology, Asst Prof Wittawat Molee, revealed that the Farm Champion Project utilises Korat chicken, which is a hybrid created by crossing a chicken breed developed from imported stock called SUT, with the Thai lueang hang khao rooster. Suranaree University of Technology can produce 60,000 Korat chicks per year and sells each chick for only 20 baht.

"Unlike native breeds that typically lay 50 to 60 eggs per year, Korat chickens can produce over 200 chicks annually. It takes 65 days to raise Korat chickens to reach 1.2kg, which is the weight that they can be marketed. These chickens not only exhibit great health and faster growth rates than native breeds, they also maintain the delectable flavour and texture of domestic free-range chickens," said Asst Prof Wittawat.

Wunpen Songsamron of Suphattra Farm. World Animal Protection Thailand

Wunpen Songsamron of Suphattra Farm. World Animal Protection Thailand

Wunpen Songsamrong, the founder of Suphattra Farm in Nakhon Ratchasima, and Suthep Sirimool, the founder of Thepsiri Farm in Ubon Ratchathani, who both participated in the Farm Champion Project, said it provided them with chicks, chicken feed and information on how to raise high welfare chickens.

"The project recorded videos of farmers and shared them on several platforms. This will raise public awareness about high welfare chickens," said Wunpen.

Both Wunpen and Suthep said that the chickens exhibited natural behaviour which they had not seen at other farms.

"I used to raise chickens for factory farms and for my domestic farm, and I never saw chickens wait for me to open the gate to go out and spend time in the area that allows them to scratch and forage for food and herbs like chickens in this project," said Suthep.

Wunpen added: "I noticed that chickens gather in different groups. Some prefer to stay in the coop, while others enjoy sunbathing, jumping on logs and relaxing in various corners, such as under bamboo, cherry or mango trees."

Chicken prices vary depending on the farm. At Thepsiri Farm and Suphattra Farm, prices start from 80 baht per kilo. Wunpen and Suthep now hope to attract new target customers.

"I aim to establish an online platform, but I still have to learn about consumer behaviour. I am currently experimenting with packaging and storage because it seems like consumers prefer ready-made food," said Wunpen.

Suthep explained: "We are still in the experimental stage. I hope that if the project receives a product standard and a sticker that can identify our products, it may help us to reach the market, so farmers can earn more income."

Suthep Sirimool of Thepsiri Farm. World Animal Protection Thailand

Suthep Sirimool of Thepsiri Farm. World Animal Protection Thailand

Asst Prof Wittawat added that Korat chickens raised in cages often engage in pecking fights which result in injuries and wounds to their backs.

"However, all chickens in the Farm Champion Project have beautiful feathers and no pecking marks. Their beaks have a nice colour which indicates a state of happiness," he said.

To introduce the Farm Champion Project to the public, WAP Thailand, SUT and four chicken farms will participate in the "Farm Champion Market, Kai Ngam Phro Khon (Chicken Health Come From The Care Of People)" event on Saturday at Patom Organic Living on Soi Thong Lor in Bangkok.

"The event aims to directly connect farmers with consumers. Through this event, consumers will have the opportunity to experience what animal welfare is," explained Paew.

"Additionally, there will be two talk sessions where the topics are not limited to animal welfare. One session will explore business models and how high welfare chicken products can achieve a premium price. Various business perspectives will be presented to provide participants with a complete picture of how the Farm Champion Project can benefit people, animals and the Earth."

Chickens at Thepsiri Farm. World Animal Protection Thailand

Chickens at Thepsiri Farm. World Animal Protection Thailand

The 'Farm Champion Project' provided over 1,000 Korat chickens to 11 farms across six provinces. World Animal Protection Thailand

The 'Farm Champion Project' provided over 1,000 Korat chickens to 11 farms across six provinces. World Animal Protection Thailand

A model for ethical poultry
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