When I got my first turkeys this year, I was dismayed to find that a large feed mill in my province doesn't make antibiotic free starter for turkeys. Even the turkey grower is medicated! So I followed some advice from the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association and fed them non-medicated chicken starter, with some boiled egg crumbled in to provide the extra protein. Turkeys are now 8 weeks old and outside on grass, doing GREAT. Out of 50 I lost 7. Not too bad stats for my first time raising them I think.
So the theory behind feeding medicated feed to animals is because humans place them in stressful situations (beef feedlots are overcrowded and unsanitary, same goes for chicken and turkey and hog barns in conventionally raised animal production) - feed them antibiotics to prevent them from getting sick due to the overcrowding or unsanitary conditions. Treating the SYMPTOM, not the CAUSE. Prevent the overcrowding, and the symptoms will disappear.
We all know that young children are prone to ear infections, sinus infections, tonsillitis and all sorts of other bacterial infections - so why does conventional wisdom not recommend feeding kids medicated food to prevent these illnesses? Because we know that overuse of antibiotics will cause resistant strains of bacteria to develop. Well, erm, will the same thing not happen with animal production and its preventative use of antibiotics?
Hence here at Pilgrim Farms, we try to raise our animals in stress-free environment, with no added antibiotics or hormones. The chickens are raised in brooder houses with ample space, clean litter and clean water and feed dishes. As soon as they are old enough(3-4 weeks depending on weather) they are moved to the pasture pens where they get to enjoy sunlight, dirt to scratch in, grass to nibble on, bugs to chase and all the free choice locally grown grains they can eat. I love watching them lie down and stretch a leg out as if they are enjoying a day suntanning at the beach. And when I move the pens to give them access to fresh grass, its a joy to watch them explore, gobble up some grass, dandelions and alfalfa and chase the occasional bug. I am proud to raise such healthy animals. I strive to provide the best natural and ethical care possible.
