Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where are Turk’s Free Range Farms?
A: All Turks’ Free Range Farms are in the Horowhenua/Manawatu, all within 15km of Foxton.
Q: Are the chickens able to roam free & how often are the birds given access to the outdoors?
A: Yes, our free range chickens are free to roam around outside. Once our chickens are fully feathered (at approximately the age of three weeks), they are given access to the outdoors during daylight hours to forage and scratch around in the grass (unless the chickens welfare is at risk due to storms). At night they return to the barn to keep warm and safe.
Q: What is the size of the outdoor area the chickens can access?
A: Free-range chickens at each of Turk’s free-range farms have access to over 3,000 square metres of outdoor space, grassed, with ample shade, shelter is also provided.
Q: Are pesticides used on the grass where the chickens forage?
A: No, our farmers do not use any pesticides in or around the areas the chickens roam.
Q: Why are Turk’s chickens called Corn Fed?
A: Turk’s Corn Fed Chickens are called Corn Fed because the majority of their feed consists of corn. Other ingredients include grains, vitamins and minerals. This ensures the birds receive a nutritionally balanced diet. This contributes to a rich, buttery texture that makes all Turk’s products so tasty.
Q: Can you confirm your corn origin & is it GE?
A: Our corn is GE free and locally grown, the majority coming from the sun rich Hawke’s Bay.
Q: What standards does Turk’s comply with to ensure their Chickens Welfare and Behavioural Needs are provided for?
A: All of Turk’s operations comply fully with the provisions of the current Animal Welfare (Meat Chickens) Code of Welfare 2018 and any other subsequent amendments.
All our farms are independently audited to ensure they meet the requirements of the New Zealand Animal Codes of Welfare.
Q: Are growth hormones used?
A: No chickens in New Zealand are given growth promoting hormones. Unfortunately overseas this does happen hence there is a general misperception that New Zealand chicken follows this practice, this is not the case. For more information refer to Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) https://pianz.org.nz/video/chicken-challenges-myths-and-misconceptions/
Q: Are the chickens GM?
A: No Way. The chickens are not genetically modified.
Q: Are the chickens kept in cages?
A: No Way. Meat Chickens are not raised in cages. Turk’s Free range chickens have access to outdoor areas and Turk’s is proud to comply fully with the provisions of the current Animal Welfare code to provide free range products to our consumers. For more information refer to Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) https://pianz.org.nz/video/chicken-challenges-myths-and-misconceptions/
Q: Do you distribute product to the Australian market?
A: Currently we only sell Turk’s Products in the North Island of New Zealand and in selected stores in the South Island. Check out our stockists here.
Q: Do you sell organic chicken?
A: Unfortunately, we are not able to offer organic chickens.
Q: Why do Turk’s Corn Fed Chicken sometimes cost more?
A: We are trying to close this gap so consumers can make a choice.
The main two reasons are: 1. The amount of corn we feed our chickens 2. We pay our free range farmers more for chickens as the space needed on their farm is greater than a barn raised farm.
Q: How do I safely Handle, Store & Cook Chicken?
Correct handling, storage and cooking are all equally important when cooking chicken
1.HANDLING
- Do not wash fresh or frozen chicken.
- Wash hands and equipment thoroughly in hot soapy water after handling raw poultry.
- Do not place cooked product on plates used for raw chicken.
- Use separate boards for chopping raw poultry and other foods.
2.STORAGE
- Always cover raw chicken and store it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator below all other foods.
- Thaw frozen chicken completely in a refrigerator or defrost in a microwave prior to cooking.
- Do not thaw chicken on a bench or under running water.
- Once thawed, cook within 24 hours.
- Do not refreeze after thawing.
- Always cover raw chicken.
- Best practice – If refrigerating cooked chicken for later use, do so as soon as possible after initial cooking.
- COOKING
- Chicken must be cooked thoroughly before eating.
- The internal temperature for bone-in chicken should be 82°C.
- The internal temperature for all other chicken should be 76°C.
- Best practice – Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- A useful guide is to cook until the juices run clear. This does not remove the need to use a meat thermometer.
For additional information refer to https://pianz.org.nz/cooking-poultry/
