Lilydale
Why Free Range?
Free range poultry production is not new. It’s been part of farming practice for centuries and up until the 1960’s, many Australian households kept chickens. But since then family cooking has changed, busier lifestyles and the influence of international cuisine have increased demand for chicken. The poultry industry has focused on efficiency to cater for the demand, but over the past decade we have seen a significant shift toward the more traditional methods. The free range approach is more time consuming but our Lilydale farmers, our staff and our customers think its worth the effort.
Free Range Accreditation
You will notice an accreditation logo on all Lilydale free range packaging. This logo gives you assurance that you are buying genuine free range chicken. Free Range Egg and Poultry Australia set the Free Range Meat Bird Standards which can be found at www.frepa.com.au. We have listed a few key standards here for your convenience which we believe are central to free range farming:
- When fully feathered, in accordance with the current edition of the Victorian Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Poultry, or other states codes of poultry practice, birds must have easy access to an area on which to range during daylight hours.
- The range area must be capable of continued production of vegetation.
- Natural foods only are permitted with the addition of vitamins and minerals as required for the birds’ welfare.
- Only under veterinary direction are antibiotics permitted. Treated birds must not be sold as Free Range.
- Growth promoting hormones are not permitted.
- A reasonable attempt must be made to protect birds from predators at all times.
For more information, visit the FREPA website or contact frepa@frepa.com.au.
Nutrition and Taste
The Lilydale chicken range includes a number of premium chicken cuts including whole chicken, thigh fillet, breast fillet, wings, drumsticks and premium breast stir fry strips. All cuts offer the nutritional benefits that chicken has to offer. With essential nutrients such as protein, iron, zinc, nine essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals, its easy to understand why chicken has become Australia’s favourite meat. Read about the Health Benefits of chicken (PDF 224 KB).