Chickens are not given hormones. In fact, hormones are not approved for use in poultry in North America. The birds are kept in climate-controlled barns to protect them against hot summers, cold winters, predators, and disease. 5.C hickens are free to roam, but usually prefer to stay in one area. The birds have free access to clean water and nutritious feed 24 hours a day.
Chickens take about six to eight weeks to grow.
Farmers raise 5 - 6 flocks per year. After each flock, chicken farmers thoroughly clean and disinfect their barns. This gives them the distinction of having one of the highest cleanliness standards in the world. A clean bedding of soft straw or wood shavings is put on the barn floor before the new, day-old chicks arrive from the hatchery. Ontario produces over 274 million kilograms of chicken per year.