Free Range/Organic

The Truth Behind Free-Range and Organic Turkey

Out of increasing awareness and public concern about animal suffering, some consumers are turning toward "free-range," “organic” or “natural” turkey this holiday season. Unfortunately, although their hearts may be in the right place, these labels are deceptive and do not equal humane! Here are a few facts to chew on:

• Most people don't envision physical mutilations as part of their "natural," "free-range" or "organic" turkey. But mutilations, from debeaking to toe removal, are still performed at "free-range" farms. These mutilations are a source of continual pain for the birds and can make eating and walking difficult.

• As on factory farms, birds on "free-range" and "organic" turkey farms are genetically manipulated to grow at an unnaturally fast rate. The strain of growing so quickly causes many health problems for the turkeys, from crippling joint disorders to heart failure. Premature death on the "free-range" farm is still common.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not limit "free-range" animal density or flock size, and these turkeys are often packed crowded tightly together on “free-range” farms.

• Even though "free-range" operations are supposed to grant turkeys outdoor access after about a month of life, depending upon the weather, there are no specific requirements for this access. The provision for outdoor 'access', therefore, is practically meaningless.

• In the winter, "free-range" birds are not required by federal regulations to have access to the outdoors. Due to the fact that poultry is slaughtered at an extremely young age – about 14 to 16 weeks for turkeys – birds raised during the winter months do not have to go outside at all.

• The size of the outdoor area “free-range” turkeys have is also unregulated by the USDA, so it can be surprisingly small and is often nothing more than a tiny barren dirt lot.

• Since the "free-range" label has no clear definition, it is nearly impossible to regulate the methods by which these animals are raised. In order to obtain approval for labels bearing the claim "free-range," poultry producers must only provide the USDA with a brief description of the birds' housing conditions. These claims are almost never verified by on-site inspections.

Thanksgiving shoppers buying "organic"
or "free-range" turkeys have no way of knowing just how “natural” a life that these birds actually led before being slaughtered. Compassionate consumers must remember that even on so-called "free-range" farms, turkeys are subjected to inhumane treatment, and ultimately their lives are ended painfully and prematurely – just like those of birds raised on factory farms. Learn more
about the Truth Behind Labels.