Value chicken, Standard chicken, Free Range, Organic and Willow Farm , which is a more affordable welfare friendly option.
| Value | Standard | Willow Farm (A more affordable welfare friendly option) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of birds at slaughter | 38-49 days– will depend on weight requirements | 38-49 days – will depend on weight requirements | 40-44 days – will depend on weight requirements |
| Breed | Any Aviagen (Cobb not permitted) | Any Aviagen (Cobb not permitted) | Aviagen 708 (Cobb not permitted)- slower growing strain |
| Stocking Density | Planned stocking density of 34-36kg/ m2. Absolute Max. 38kg/m2 | Planned stocking density of 34-36kg/ m2. Absolute Max. 38kg/m2 | Absolute Max. 30kg/ m2 |
| Diet | Wheat, non-GM soya, fishmeal, Vitamins and mineral | Wheat, non-GM soya, fishmeal, Vitamins and mineral | Wheat, non-GM soya, fishmeal, Vitamins and mineral |
| Farm Assurance scheme | Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco Livestock code of practice for chicken | Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco Livestock code of practice for chicken | Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco Livestock code of practice (LCOP) for chicken. Straw bales for perching and windows to allow natural daylight |
| Standard Free-range | Finest* Free-range | Organic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of birds at slaughter | Minimum 56 days | Minimum 56 days | Minimum 70 days |
| Breed | Aviagen 508/708 (Cobb not permitted) | Mix of Aviagen 708/Hubbard Flex (Cobb not permitted) | Defined slow growing strain |
| Stocking Density | Absolute Max 27.5kg/sq m2 | Absolute Max 27.5kg/sq m2 | Absolute Max 30kg/m2 (mobiles) Sites built prior to Aug 1999 – max 27.5kg/ m2 |
| Diet | Wheat, non-GM soya, fishmeal, Vitamins and mineral | Maize (min 50%), wheat, non-GM soya, vitamins and minerals | Certified organic diet |
| Farm Assurance scheme | Freedom Food (RSPCA) accredited, plus Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco LCOP. Access to outside for half their life. Straw bales + foraging outdoors | Freedom Food (RSPCA) accredited, plus Assured Chicken Production plus Tesco LCOP Access to outside for half their life. Straw bales + foraging outdoors | Organic scheme accredited. Access to outside for 1/3 of life + shelters and foraging outdoors |
We have a dedicated agricultural team to ensure that all animals are reared for Tesco in a humane and compassionate manner. We are the only major supermarket to carry out independent third-party inspections as our own audits to ensure our standards are being met.
We do not sell standard 'cheap' chicken at Waitrose. Our range of chicken is organic, free range and Waitrose Select Farm (our entry level product).
Our Select Farm Chickens have 20% fewer birds in each flock than the industry standard. Our stocking density is the same as RSPCA Freedom Foods standards which gives birds room to move around. All Waitrose Select Farm sheds have large windows giving birds natural daylight, and longer rest periods at night. Chickens are given hay bales to peck at to offer a more stimulating environment.
We made very significant changes within our chicken farming in September 2006. We believe that real value is a balance between quality, price and high animal welfare.
Our work in this area contributed towards us winning the Supermarket of the Year title in the RSPCA Good Business Awards.
For breadth of choice, we also offer Poulet d'Or chicken, a corn-fed, free range chicken, produced exclusively for Waitrose in small flocks on southern English farms (including at our own farm, Leckford).
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