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ARE THE CHICKENS REALLY ALLOWED
OUTSIDE THE SHED?
- After the chickens are fully feathered (approx
21 days for meat birds and 6 weeks for layers),
the birds are free to roam outside during daylight
hours except in poor weather.
HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN THE CHICKEN IS GENUINELY FREE
RANGE?
- Free Range Egg and Poultry Australia is an independent
accreditation body that audits free range farms.
If the FREPA logo is not displayed, then the chicken
or eggs have not been certified by FREPA.
ARE FREE RANGE CHICKENS GIVEN ANTIBIOTICS?
- Only if the birds are being treated under veterinary
care. Meat chickens treated with such antibiotics
are not sold as Free Range. Eggs laid by layers which have been treated with antibiotics are withdrawn from sale.
ARE CHICKENS GIVEN GROWTH PROMOTING HORMONES?
- Since 1967, no meat chickens in Australia are given any
growth promoting hormones. Egg layers have never needed growth promoting hormones.
DO OTHER WILD LIFE OR ANIMALS HAVE ACCESS TO THE
CHICKENS?
- The chickens are kept in fenced paddock areas.
All attempts are made to keep predators out. Chickens are housed from sunset to sunrise
to keep them safe.
DO THE CHICKENS EAT WHILE OUTDOORS?
- Chickens are free to forage in the outdoors, however,
their meals are fed to them indoors to prevent attracting
unwanted predators.
ARE THE CHICKENS KEPT IN CAGES WHILST THEY ARE INSIDE
THE SHEDS?
- No chooks accredited by FREPA are kept in cages.
ARE THE CHICKENS PROCESSED CHEMICAL FREE?
- During the cleaning stage, chicken processors generally
wash chickens in water that contains small levels
of chlorine. The chlorine kills any bacteria that
may exist in the water and ensures the chicken is
clean. The amount of chlorine used is extremely
small and adheres to government regulations.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHITE AND BROWN EGGS?
- Only the colour. Different coloured chooks lay
different coloured eggs.
DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE A ROOSTER TO GET EGGS?
- No. The eggs we eat are infertile.
HOW MANY EGGS DOES A CHOOK LAY EACH DAY?
- It depends on the amount of daylight. One every
26 hrs is a rough guide.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE AN EGG?
- It takes 10 days for an egg to develop from start
to finish.
HOW OLD ARE CHOOKS BEFORE THEY LAY?
- Egg production starts from 18 to 26 weeks of age,
depending on the strain of bird and time of the
year.
DO I NEED TO CANDLE MY EGGS?
- If your eggs are to be sold they must be candled.
DOES SELLING INCLUDE BARTERING?
DO I NEED TO REFRIGERATE MY EGGS?
- Yes. Eggs should be kept refrigerated in the carton in which you buy them.
CAN I USE SECOND HAND EGG CARTONS?
- No. By law you must use new cartons to sell eggs
and they must by properly labelled.
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