Myth #1
Broiler chickens today appear to be supersized compared to previous years. Why?
Fact
Modern broiler chickens grow faster and more efficiently due to decades of selective breeding, balanced nutrition, improved animal health practices, and better housing and management systems. These advances enable chickens to convert feed into growth more effectively while maintaining health and welfare standards.
Myth #2
Should I look for chicken that is sold as “No Hormones Added”?
Fact
You may be surprised to learn that hormones are not used in the production of broiler chickens in India. Modern broilers grow efficiently due to advances in selective breeding, balanced nutrition, animal health care, and improved farm management practices.
Growth hormones are proteins and cannot be effectively administered through feed or water. In addition, using hormones would be prohibitively expensive—far exceeding the value of the chicken itself. From both a practical and economic standpoint, hormone use in broiler production makes no sense.
Myth #3
What do I need to know about injections or vaccines given to broiler chickens?
Fact
Poultry vaccines are widely used to prevent and control infectious diseases in chickens, just as vaccines are used to protect people and pets from disease. Vaccination helps maintain bird health and reduces the risk of disease outbreaks on farms.
The vaccines given to broiler chickens are often mistakenly believed to be hormones or steroids. This is incorrect. Vaccines are used solely for disease prevention and have no role in promoting growth. Modern broiler growth is achieved through selective breeding, balanced nutrition, good animal health practices, and improved farm management.
The use of hormones or steroids for growth in broiler production is scientifically illogical, practically unfeasible, and not economically viable.
Myth #4
Does eating broiler chicken cause early puberty in children?
Fact
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that consuming broiler chicken causes or promotes early puberty in children. Researchers around the world have investigated various factors that may influence the onset of puberty, but chicken consumption has not been established as a cause.
To address this concern, A study by Dr. A. Subashree, titled “Impact of Poultry Consumption by Adolescent Females – An Analytical Study”, published in Drug Invention Today, Vol. 13, Issue 6 (2020), found no association between chicken consumption and early puberty in girls.
Modern broiler chickens are raised through advances in genetics, nutrition, animal health, and farm management—not through the use of hormones.
Myth #5
Should I be concerned about antibiotics used on poultry farms?
Fact: Antibiotics are one of many tools used by farmers and veterinarians to keep chickens healthy and ensure a safe food supply. Today, poultry farms operate under health management programs designed and supervised by qualified veterinarians.
Like people, chickens can sometimes become ill. When necessary, veterinarians may prescribe antibiotics to treat specific diseases and protect animal welfare. The use of antibiotics is strictly regulated and permitted only for the treatment of disease.
Importantly, chickens treated with antibiotics must undergo a mandatory withdrawal period before they enter the food chain. During this period, the medicine is naturally eliminated from the bird’s body, ensuring that chicken reaching consumers complies with established food safety standards.
Responsible antibiotic use, veterinary oversight, and regulatory compliance help ensure that chicken remains a safe, nutritious, and wholesome source of protein.
Myth #6
Does eating chicken generate excessive heat in the body?
Fact: There is no scientific evidence that chicken generates excessive heat in the body compared to many other commonly consumed foods. The energy produced during digestion is influenced by the nutritional composition of food, including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Chicken contains virtually no carbohydrates and is generally lower in fat than many other foods. It is also a high-quality protein with excellent digestibility and biological value, meaning the body can efficiently utilize its nutrients.
While protein requires more energy to digest than carbohydrates or fats (known as the thermic effect of food), this does not mean chicken causes excessive body heat. Chicken remains a nutritious, easily digestible source of protein that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.