By Abdullah Jawwad Yousafi
Unfounded rumors and deceptive information have unfairly overshadowed poultry farming, leading to widespread misunderstandings, particularly about hormone use in broiler chickens and residue presence in their meat, even permeating academic circles and passionate debates lacking scientific basis.
A prevalent belief that has gained undue traction asserts that hormones, whether added to feed or directly injected, are responsible for the rapid growth witnessed in contemporary commercial poultry. However, this assertion, though widely circulated, crumbles under scrutiny for several reasons.
Genetic Advancement: Premier breeding companies have meticulously honed breeds for optimal growth and performance through careful and rigorous selection processes. Over decades, genetic engineering, coupled with the relatively short life cycle of chickens (approximately 35-42 days), has systematically reduced the time required for chickens to reach specified weight targets. By tapping into the innate genetic potential of broilers and ensuring they receive well-balanced nutrition in ideal environmental conditions, significant progress has been achieved.
Insights into Nutrition: Modern research has paved the way for a nuanced comprehension of the distinct dietary requirements of various poultry genetic strains. Precision in feeding strategies, focusing on precise energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral content, guarantees optimal growth and health. Recent studies, such as those by Liu et al. (2020), Wang et al. (2020), and Zhang et al. (2021), lend credibility to this approach.
Optimised Environmental Factors: Contemporary poultry farming practices have greatly benefited from insights into the ideal environmental conditions for raising chickens. Factors like optimal temperature ranges, benchmarks for air quality, controlled lighting conditions, and specifications for feeder and drinker spaces play a pivotal role in poultry growth. When combined with high-quality feed and superior genetics, the presumed requirement for growth hormones becomes obsolete.
Nevertheless, the question remains that what is the source of this confusion? A substantial portion of the misunderstanding can be traced back to practices within the beef cattle sector.
In this context, the administration of growth hormones is a standard practice, authorised by regulatory bodies like the FDA, primarily to enhance growth, improve feed utilisation, and boost meat yield. It’s important to note that while certain hormones are naturally present in both humans and animals and play crucial roles, their usage in poultry differs from their application in the beef industry.
Despite this clear distinction, the lines become blurred in public discourse. A significant portion of the public’s concerns revolves around hormone levels in their food, partly triggered by findings that link synthetic steroid hormones, used as pharmaceutical drugs, to potential health risks.
Furthermore, compounding the existing confusion is the fact that many essential foods in human nutrition, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains, contain phytoestrogens. This has led to an exaggerated emphasis on meat as a primary source of hormonal intake, despite studies like those conducted by Hartmann et al. (1998) that refute such claims.
It’s crucial to emphasise that broiler chickens, contrary to popular belief, are not treated with growth hormones. Empirical research, as supported by studies such as Biswas et al. (2018), underscores the complete absence of hormone residues in broiler meat, dispelling the long-standing myths.
Such myths need to be debunked in the light of scientifically sound knowledge.
The pressing challenges facing the poultry sector in Pakistan, such as power shortages, feed quality, and fluctuating pricing, necessitate our focused attention. Only through informed dialogues and thoughtful approaches to poultry consumption can we combat the pervasive misinformation regarding hormone use and chicken production. While the truth is evident, it requires vocal advocates to ensure its widespread acceptance.
