Animal Welfare Approved: Chicken
Animal Welfare Approved Is a Top Pick
The AWA label has among the most stringent standards for animal welfare including comprehensive standards for raising, transport and slaughter.
Requires Verification/Inspection
FoodPrint Label Criteria
Animal Feed Quality
Produced without industrial pesticides*
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited**
Prohibit animal waste and byproduct
Restricted use of feed supplements
GMOs prohibited
*Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as organic
**Discouraged but not prohibited
Drug Use
Antibiotics only administered to sick animals or prohibited
Prohibit hormones and other routine drugs to healthy animals
Environmental and Pasture Quality
Pasture management / rotational grazing plan required
Synthetic fertilizers or sewage sludge prohibited
Grown without industrial pesticides*
Biodiversity required in pasture
Soil health monitored/measured for improvement over time (soil biome, carbon sequestration, etc)*
*Some standards exist, but not as comprehensive as USDA Organic. Annual pasture testing recommended.
Animal Welfare and Living Conditions
Breed health requirements
Minimum indoor space requirements
Natural light required
Standards for indoor ammonia levels
Outdoor access required
Pasture access required
Hygiene and manure management addressed
Physical alterations prohibited (debeaking, etc)
Standards for animal wellbeing in transport including maximum duration times
Welfare standards for slaughtering addressed
Requires perches
Dust bathing opportunities
Worker Welfare
Standards and protections for workers on farm
Standards and protections for workers in processing plants
Fair/living wages ensured
Health care insurance ensured
Food Label Glossary
For explanations of some of these technical terms, like “rotational grazing” or “sewage sludge fertilizers,” please visit our glossary.