Co-op has introduced it has grow to be the primary UK comfort retailer to increase its improved hen welfare commonplace throughout its British Breaded and Prepared-To-Eat vary enabling Co-op members and clients to entry hen reared in 20% extra space to perch and roam, on the similar nice worth.
The 21 strains, which embrace Co-op’s British Breaded Rooster Goujons, British Garlic Kiev, British Roast Rooster Drumstick and British Sliced Rooster Breast, have now all been rebranded underneath the retailer’s House to Thrive vary, which sees hen reared underneath welfare situations that exceed the UK commonplace, with lowered stocking density and 20% extra space.
It additionally means chickens come from naturally lit barns and have entry to pecking objects and platforms for perching to allow extra pure behaviours and a more healthy life.
Co-op – who sells solely 100% British meat and poultry, and free-range eggs – is amongst one of many first retailers to maneuver its total breaded hen to the decrease stocking density dedication alongside its contemporary hen vary, which moved in February following a multi-million-pound funding.
Sinead Bell, Co-op’s business director, stated: “Accountable sourcing issues to us, our members and clients and we’re proud to assist British farmers by sourcing 100% of our contemporary meat and shell eggs from trusted farms from throughout Britain. We take animal welfare critically and take heed to our member homeowners, which is why we took motion earlier this yr and continued to considerably put money into our poultry provide chain to supply buyers top quality merchandise on the similar nice worth. Right this moment’s announcement underlines our unwavering dedication to this, and we’re proud to be amongst the few retailers to increase the brand new decrease stocking density to past contemporary hen.”
Initially introduced on the Co-op AGM in Might 2023, in step with their members’ requests, the comfort retailer had deliberate to launch the decrease stocking density birds by the top of 2024, however by working carefully, at tempo, with their provider, 2 Sisters Meals Group, Co-op was in a position to first make the transfer 10 months earlier.
Now, all Co-op contemporary and breaded hen alongside 11 Prepared To Eat strains are actually bred to a most stocking density of 30kg/m2. That is lowered from the earlier specification of 38kg/m2.
All Co-op Rooster exceeds Purple Tractor requirements, with RSPCA Assured Free Vary hen additionally obtainable in retailer.
