February 11, 2015

Hubbard's JA87 broilers get nod for free-range and indoor environments

Press Release

UK's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has approved Hubbard's JA787 and JA987 broilers for use in free-range and indoor environments.

"This is good news for Freedom Food free-range chicken producers who now have another breed available to choose from", said Dr. Marc Cooper, RSPCA's chicken welfare scientist.

"The use of the Hubbard JA787/987 broilers was already permitted for indoor production within the Freedom Food scheme… to improve welfare characteristics of the breed. (JA787) broilers can now be reared in free-range systems under a similar agreement. We look forward to continuing to work with Hubbard on this issue."

Hubbard's JA787 and JA987 are part of a specially-reared brood which also include the JA57, which was raised for organic, 81-day free range and the 56-day free range markets.

According to Jim Hunnable of Hubbard UK, JA57 "serves as a benchmark for the RSPCA within their Welfare Assessment trials".

Poultry stocks of the JA87 types have improved growth trait, lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) and offered more breast meat than JA57.

The JA87 breed is being marketed in France, the Netherlands and Germany, which are very receptive to premium poultry brands due to demand for quality meat and concerns over animal welfare and widespread use of antibiotics in poultry.