What type of feed Do your turkeys eat?
Our feed consists of corn, soy, wheat, mineral and vitamin mix.
A turkey is an Omnivore therefore, there is a small amount of meat protein included in this mix, so it is not a pure veggie diet.
Are your turkey’s given hormones?
No. Some marketers still classify their turkey as “hormone free.” This is little more than a marketing tactic, since the use of hormones in raising poultry has been banned since the 1960s in Canada.
Are your Turkeys in cages?
No. Our turkeys are classified Free Run, which is different than free range, in that turkeys do not necessarily need to be raised outside but they are required to be able to move around freely within the barn. Though there is no legal definition of this, all turkeys raised for meat in Canada are considered free run.
What happens if your turkeys get sick?
In some circumstances we can place the affected turkeys separate from the other turkeys and treat only the affected birds. In other cases, the type of illness may require the entire flock to be treated. Antibiotics are only given when prescribed by a veterinarian. The prescriptions given by the veterinarian contain strict with drawl timelines to ensure that traces of all antibiotics have eliminated prior to processing. This ensures that the antibiotics are out of the turkey’s system and will not affect the meat in any way. The CFIA also does random blood and tissue sampling of the birds to confirm “no residue” before processing.
Are Farmers Accountable?
Turkey farmers have implemented an On-Farm Food Safety Program (OFFSP) to standardize on-farm food safety production practices whereby all farms receive yearly audits. A part of that program includes a reporting form that is sent with every flock that is sent to processing. Poultry farmers are the only commodity in Canada required to complete and send this information to CFIA veterinarians at processing plants. At the plant, the CFIA veterinarian verifies the form, which details all the antibiotics used to treat disease and the feed antibiotics used within the last two weeks. Additionally, as part of the annual OFFSP audit, auditors audit the antibiotic usage and ensure withdrawal times are adhered to. Remember too, the majority of antibiotic use at the farm is overseen by a veterinarian, either at the feed mill or via the farmers’ veterinarian. All antibiotic usage is recorded as part of the mandatory food safety program. • The “flock sheet” is a form used by farmers to record specific information about such things as feed, any antibiotics, medications or vaccines used, number of birds placed, etc. • A preliminary sheet is sent to the processor 3 to 4 days ahead of the flock and the complete information is required on the flock sheet with the shipment itself. • If there were any serious violations (illegal processes, withdrawal times not adhered to, serious abuse, etc), the CFIA vet who works at the plant would not approve the slaughter of those birds and the farmer would not get paid. • Any farmers in violation of the on-farm food safety program can face stiff penalties.