Re: Free range or confined, they're all dirty chicken

Aquatfs (Aquatfs@aol.com)
Mon, 2 Mar 1998 20:53:42 EST

I am somewhat glad that the free range / organic chicken situation is coming
to a head. There is too broad a range of husbandry methods that can fall into
the category of organic or free range. As well, there are practices that
should not be included in this classification. As such, it is not surprising
to see that some birds with this labeling are contaminated with pathogens.
This does not, however, indicate that it is not possible to raise chickens
that are pathogen free. Please refer to the work of Steiner / Albrecht /
Howard / de Bairacli Levy.

The presence or absence of pathogens is not only dependant on the presence of
the pathogen, but also on the suitability of the medium that the pathogen
comes in contact with to support growth. I am always amazed at how we find it
normal to assume that farm animals are carriers of pathogens, but for humans,
we consider this illness or disease. As for the belief that the pathogens do
not affect the animals, and hence, the animals are perfectly healthy, I would
suggest we stop all forms of medication and see how things play out.

As for the school of thought that says that proper handling and cooking can
render contaminated meat "safe", I wonder what differences there are in the
flesh quality from an animal that supports pathogen growth, and one that does
not.

Regards,

Alan Ismond, P.Eng.

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