It is true that poultry farming has been considered one of the lower carbon emitters in agricultural sectors, but this does not mean it will be an easy transition for everyday farmers.
This is especially true for broiler farmers which rely heavily on fuel and natural gas to maintain house temperatures.
Globally, the poultry meat sector is liable for 8% of all agriculture carbon emissions with approximately 100kg of CO2 produced per 1kg of meat.
The average poultry farm produces around 85% of its total carbon emissions from the feed. This is due to soy being used as it provides high levels protein and promotes strong growth, meaning more birds can be raised on less land with lower resources like water or food for them!
Soy is mainly produced in South America and has been criticised as one of the leading contributors to deforestation.
Due to the long distances the feed has to travel the CO2 produced in transporting is high, greatly increasing its negative effects on the planet.
In an effort to reduce the amount of soy used in chicken feed and create a more sustainable industry, several companies have begun trials with different alternatives. These include fats from olive oil or canola plants as well as lupin grains which are often thrown away because they don’t grow enough protein on their own lifespan but may be worth looking into for future generations!
One solution that could be promising is feed supplemented with insect protein. The larvae of the black soldier fly can be as high as 65% protein and require very little breeding space. Research is currently be conducted to see what effect this has on poultry health and egg quality.