What Goes Into Crafting Chicken Treats For Our Dogs? Ranking The Most Nutritious Chicken For Your Pups.
Majority of pet parents we meet in Singapore share a love-hate relationship with chicken. Chicken is known to cause allergies in some dogs, however it is the most affordable and accessible source of meat protein to us. In our experience putting together nutritious and holistic meals for our pup, we have also consistently avoided this ubiquitous white meat that can be cheap and available in the markets. So why do most pet owners avoid feeding their furry friends chicken?
In this sherlock-esque article, we investigate the different origins of chicken available in Singapore’s grocery stores, and how to choose the best chicken for your dogs whether you are dehydrating chicken for dog treats or feeding your pups chicken for their regular meals.
The Farms
Chicken sold in Singapore’s markets are generally from three of the following major sources.
Kee Song (Meng Kee)
A Malaysian farm that is accredited by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). Kee Song is known for giving their chickens probiotics in their feed. Chicken bred in Kee Song’s farms are antibiotic-free and growth-hormone free. They are also most popular for playing Mozart’s pieces 12 hours a day to enhance the lives of their flock, inducing a stress-free environment for them to grow to maturity.
Toh Thye San
Another Malaysian farm that is accredited by AVA. Toh Thye San is a family chicken farm in Malaysia with multiple broiler farms. You would be familiar with their “kampong chicken” products available in Singapore’s supermarkets. They provide us with both commercial white broiler chicken and Anxin chicken with antibiotic-free and hormone-free guarantees.
Other Commercial Farms
Commercial chicken, can range from antibiotic-laden fresh broiler chicken from Malaysia, to fresh organic chicken fed 100% organic feed from Australia, to other types of frozen chicken from around the world.
Science Lab (?)
In December 2020, the Singapore Food Authority also approved cultured chicken or lab-grown chicken to be used in chicken snacks here! The global demand for meat protein continues to grow at an exponential rate, which has led to scientists innovating new ways to produce meat at a more efficient and scalable manner.
The Flock
White Broiler
White broiler chickens grow in concentrated pens under low light conditions. They are generally given a small space to roam around (approximately 17 chickens per square metre). These are commonly available fresh from Malaysian farms, or frozen forms from Brazil. These chickens are generally slaughtered at 5 to 7 weeks when they reach a weight of 1.2kg to 1.5kg.
Although the Singapore Food Authority indicates that chickens are tested for antibiotics to ensure that they are below the Maximum Residue Levels, there may still be traces of residue in white broiler chickens. A common practice for rearing these commercial poultry will be to give the chicks antibiotic feed at a very young age so that its residue will significantly decrease once it matures.
Sakura Chicken / Lacto Chicken / Probiotic Chicken
Popularised by Kee Song farm, these chickens are bred in open pens where chickens are allowed to roam freely with approximately 12 chickens per square metre. Poultry grown under these conditions are labelled as free-range chickens.
Probiotic Chicken are fed consistent amounts of probiotics to enhance the health of the chickens and this has proven to be an effective way in ensuring that the quality of chickens are maintained at scale.
Kampong Chicken
Kampong Chicken is a chicken breed commonly found in Indonesia. However, its identity was briefly misappropriated by Toh Thye San farm as they sold a similar breed of chicken also known as the Naked Neck Chicken from France. Kampong chicken takes approximately 13 to 15 weeks to grow to 2kg, and has a better taste and texture than conventional broiler chicken.
Organic Chicken
Often exported from Australia, these poultry are certified 100% organic, fed with organic feed and raised humanely by farmers. The chickens are given ample space to roam at 10 chickens per square metre. They are also given apple cider vinegar and treated with essential oils if they fall sick. With the lack of growth promoters, organic chickens take the longest time to mature, at about 81 days.
The Feed
Soy, corn, brown rice, and even probiotics are some of the common types of chicken feed that farmers use to rear chickens that are exported to Singapore. The type of feed can enhance the nutritional value and texture of white meat, and reduce the levels of fat and cholesterol.
Certain chicken farmers also feed their flock Bromelain; an enzyme extract from parts of the pineapple plant that encourages lesser fatty deposits and cholesterol levels in the chicken whilst promoting anti-inflammatory properties when consumed.
Organic chickens are fed a certified all-organic recipe free of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, containing non-GMO (genetically modified organism) grains such as wheat, barley, corn, and soybean.
The Finest
For the best treat experience with your dogs, chicken coming only certified sources should be used to deter nasties. Most honest food sources in Singapore, including some motherhood forums, highly recommend the likes of probiotic chicken, organic chicken, and the “pineapple” chicken fed with Bromelain enzymes as the consumer’s choice for the finest white meat. You can find them in your local supermarkets like Fairprice, or specialty organic grocers easily.
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xo
Nellie