Frequently Asked Questions

All Rangitikei Chicken products are Halal. Rangitikei Chicken is audited and approved by Halal Conformity Services Limited, an approved Halal Organization.

The first Rangitikei farm was established in the Manawatu region over 20 years ago.  As consumer demand for Rangitikei chicken has grown so have our farms and we now have farms dotted throughout the country in both the North and South islands to ensure product is delivered fresh throughout New Zealand.

We are committed to producing food in a way that protects the welfare of all chickens in our care by meeting or exceeding the requirements of the New Zealand Animal Welfare Code.  All our farms are independently audited to ensure they meet the requirements of the New Zealand Animal Code of Welfare.  MPI and Rangitikei have extensive assurance and monitoring programmes to ensure high levels of animal health welfare and food safety.

Absolutely not.  Like all chicken in NZ, no Rangitikei chickens are genetically modified.  Rangitikei Free Range Chickens enjoy plenty of fresh air, exercise and a nutritionally balanced diet.

Absolutely not. Chickens are free to roam in fenced areas adjacent to their barn or can move around inside the barn.  The barns are large, warm (temperature controlled) and have wood shavings on the floor.

We do not routinely use any antibiotics relevant to human health in the treatment of any poultry flocks. Like other Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) members, we only use antibiotics to treat sick birds or prevent the spread of infection. This is an accepted veterinary practice and such medicines can only be used on prescription from a vet. Antibiotics used are registered for use by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). If any medication is used, there are strict enforced stand down periods to ensure that birds sent for processing no longer have traces of antibiotics in their systems.

No. The use of hormones in chicken farming is an illegal practice in New Zealand, a law which has stood since the 1960s.

Chickens are free to forage outdoors amongst natural vegetation in their range, however their feed and water is provided inside the barn and is available to them at all times – day and night.

Rangitikei chickens are kept in well-fenced areas adjacent to their barns and our farmers are responsible for their safety and well-being. During the day some wild birds may be present on the range. At night time, the chickens are brought inside to large barns, to keep them warm and safe from predators.

Rangitikei’s free range chickens spend the first 3 weeks of their life indoors in a barn until they are fully feathered and equipped to handle going outside.

Once fully-feathered, the free range chickens are free to roam during the day on their range, sheltering under trees, foraging and pecking amongst natural vegetation. At night time, they are housed in large barns to keep them warm, comfortable and safe from predators.

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