Animal Care
Caring for the wellness of our flocks from egg to harvest.
Animal care has been a cornerstone of Mountaire Farms from the beginning. The wellness of our flocks is shaped by best practices, supported by skilled professionals, and safeguarded through long-standing relationships with independent family farmers who share our values.
Many of these family farmers have raised birds for us for generations, and their expertise forms the backbone of our live operations. Our teams conduct routine visits to share insights, answer questions, and help ensure that conditions in breeder and broiler housing support optimal health and comfort.
Every flock is traceable back to the farm where it was raised, reinforcing transparency and accountability throughout the system.
Being good stewards of all the assets God has entrusted to us.
Our animal welfare philosophy is grounded in the belief that healthy birds are the result of conscientious care, well-managed environments, and sound husbandry. We summarize this approach through our Animal Welfare Statement, which emphasizes five key areas: Disease Resistance, High-Quality Nutrition, Safety & Sanitation, Veterinary Care, and Humane Handling.
We follow the National Chicken Council’s best practice guidelines for both breeder and broiler operations, standards that cover everything from hatchery protocols and feed quality to ventilation, natural behaviors, transportation, and processing. These guidelines are audited and certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization, underscoring our commitment to consistent, verified excellence.
Veterinarians oversee everything we do.
Our avian wellness program is a thoughtful, measured approach anchored in veterinary science. It begins before chicks hatch, with licensed veterinarians overseeing immunity development through maternal antibodies. When a bird becomes ill, therapeutic antibiotics are used only when necessary to prevent suffering and protect flock health.
Every detail matters.
Safety and sanitation are foundational to our operations, from our hatcheries to the housing on family farms. Environments are managed carefully for ventilation, temperature, and protection from predators. Our live operations team works closely with growers to maintain strong biosecurity measures and reduce risk at every step.
Finally, humane handling practices ensures that only trained personnel or licensed veterinarians interact directly with our birds. Their knowledge of avian physiology and standards of care helps safeguard the wellbeing of every flock.
