Say Goodbye to Fatter Chickens as Producers Avoid ‘Woody’ Meat
- Sanderson Farms CEO says weights gains will slow in 2017
- Texture results from genetics, but appears worse in big birds
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When it comes to chickens, 2017 could mean juicier -- but maybe not plumper.
Sanderson Farms Inc., the third-largest U.S. processor of the birds, says bird weight-gains could start slowing. After decades of fattening up their chickens, some producers are now starting to reduce weights to avoid breast meat that has a “woody” texture, said Joe Sanderson Jr., the chief executive officer of Laurel, Mississippi-based Sanderson. The problematic texture is a result of genetics, but the issue appears to be worse in heavier birds, he said.