By Dr. Maral Rahmani
PoultryMed Veterinary Services
April 2025
Introduction
With growing interest in how food is produced, terms like organic, pastured, and no antibiotics ever (NAE) are showing up more often on poultry labels. But what do they really mean? For both producers and consumers, understanding the differences between these systems is essential for making informed decisions about poultry products.
What Does Organic Poultry Mean?
Organic poultry is raised according to strict standards defined by recognized organic certification bodies, which typically regulate feed, animal welfare, and the use of medications or additives. These birds must:
- Be fed 100% organic, non-GMO feed
- Never receive antibiotics, synthetic pesticides, or hormones
- Have access to the outdoors, weather permitting
- Be managed with a focus on preventive health (e.g., vaccines, prebiotics, probiotics)
- Only receive synthetic methionine as an amino acid supplement (other synthetic amino acids are banned)
While organic poultry is highly regulated and certified, it does not necessarily guarantee higher nutritional value—but it does meet high welfare and sustainability standards.
Conventional Poultry Production
Conventional (or commercial) poultry represents the majority of the industry. These birds are raised in environmentally controlled barns with optimized feed to promote rapid growth. Conventional systems may include:
- Use of antibiotics for growth promotion and disease prevention
- High-efficiency breeds like Cornish Cross
- Feed that includes animal byproducts or additives
Pastured Poultry
Pastured poultry systems raise birds outdoors on grass, often in mobile pens that are moved regularly to access fresh pasture. While birds may forage for insects and greens, commercial feed is still supplemented to meet nutritional needs.
Important notes:
- Pastured poultry is not regulated in the U.S or Canada
- It may be perceived as more natural, but is not automatically organic
- Bird welfare and diet vary widely between farms
No Antibiotics Ever (NAE)
NAE is a growing category in poultry production that strictly avoids the use of antibiotics at any stage of the bird’s life. It differs from organic in that:
- NAE birds may still be raised in conventional indoor systems
- Feed may contain GMOs and synthetic ingredients
- The focus is solely on antibiotic-free management, often supported by enhanced biosecurity measures and alternative health strategies such as probiotics, optimized nutrition, or vaccination.
