Chicken is one of the common proteins in our daily lives. However, have you ever noticed that there are many types of chicken in the market, the most common of which are feed chickens and local chickens? Many people think that the difference between feed chickens and native chickens is only the length of time, but in fact, the differences between them mainly stem from the choice of breeding methods and breeds.
First of all, let's learn about feed chickens, also known as broilers. Feed chickens are artificially bred special breeds, and their biggest feature is that they grow fast. These breeds have been scientifically genetically improved to have a strong food conversion capacity and a high growth rate. Generally speaking, it only takes 40-60 days for fodder chickens to grow to slaughter weight to meet the needs of the market. This ability to grow quickly is mainly due to the specially designed feeds, which are rich in protein, minerals and vitamins and provide all the nutrients that the birds need to grow.
However, there are some problems behind the rapid growth. Because the living environment of feed chickens is usually relatively closed, the activity space is limited, and they mainly rely on artificial feed, which makes their muscles relatively loose and the taste may not be as delicious as that of native chickens. In addition, too fast growth rate may also have an impact on the health of chickens, such as skeletal dysplasia, overburdened heart, etc.
In contrast, native chickens, also known as grass chickens or free-range chickens, live and raise very differently. Native chickens are mainly stocked in the natural environment, they have a wide space for activities, can forage freely, and the food ** mainly includes insects, grass seeds, grains and other natural foods. This way of raising makes the growth rate of native chickens relatively slow, and it generally takes at least 3-4 months to reach a suitable weight for consumption.
Despite the slower growth rate, the quality of local chickens is often preferred by consumers. Due to their high amount of exercise in the natural environment, the muscles have a firm texture and a delicious taste. At the same time, due to the diversity of food, the nutritional value of local chicken is also relatively high, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and other beneficial ingredients.
Therefore, we can be clear that feed chickens cannot be turned into native chickens no matter how long they are raised. This is because the essential difference between feed chickens and native chickens lies in the breed and feeding method. If you want to breed native chickens, you first need to choose suitable breeds, which usually have strong adaptability and disease resistance, and can survive and reproduce in the natural environment. Secondly, the free-range method is adopted to provide the chickens with enough space to move around and abundant natural food**, so that they can grow slowly in the natural environment.
In general, feed chickens and native chickens have their own advantages and disadvantages, and which chicken to choose depends on the consumer's personal taste and health needs. Understanding the differences between them not only helps us make more informed purchasing decisions, but also allows us to better respect and appreciate the unique flavor and nutritional value that each farming method brings. In the future, we look forward to seeing more scientific research and technological innovations to achieve a harmonious symbiosis between chicken production and environmental protection, animal welfare, and human health.