Proper nutrition is critical for the health of our poultry and livestock. Our team of Ph. D. and expert nutritionists formulate diets specific to our animals needs and adjust them as necessary. We make our own feed in company-owned and contracted feed mills using a proprietary mixture. We also provide our Pilgrim’s vegetarian-fed poultry with an all cereal-based diet. Hormones are not used in chicken or hog production in the U.S. or U.K.

Our licensed veterinarians monitor all health and vaccine protocols and are aligned with government regulations. Each facility has a dynamic, written health plan developed with our veterinarians and includes management specifications, vaccination schedules, health monitoring and treatment, and measures to prevent disease transmission. Our U.S. veterinarians are USDA-accredited poultry specialists with specialty postdoctoral master’s degrees in poultry production medicine and recognized by the American College of Poultry Veterinarians. Pilgrim’s does not perform physical alterations on broiler chickens and only purchases roosters and breeders from breeding companies with strict stress-reducing protocols. Pilgrim’s UK prohibits routine tail docking and castration and conducts research to advance animal welfare, such as investigating pig behavior and tail biting.

Pilgrim's facilities have thorough biosecurity programs in place to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases to our poultry and livestock. Our protocol addresses all aspects of our facilities, including feed operations, transportation, health management, and visitors. Team members and family farm partners are trained according to our protocols, and all visitors and vendors must be prescreened and approved before arrival. Sign-in logs are also maintained at all locations.

Pilgrim's only uses antibiotics under veterinary supervision and for disease prevention, control or treatment purposes. Our antibiotic policy includes written veterinary permission, diligent record-keeping and tracking of all antibiotic use, and training programs for team members. National regulations govern all antibiotic use, and any medication used is FDA or U.K. VMD licensed. In the U.S., Pilgrim's is fully compliant with FDA Guidance 209 and 213 Veterinary Feed Directive rule, and antibiotic use is under strict veterinary guidance. Pilgrim's Mexico and Europe also have strict antibiotic policies and record-keeping requirements. Pilgrim's UK has voluntarily implemented stringent controls on the use of Critically Important Antibiotics and reduced usage by more than 70%. Pilgrim's offers antibiotic-free/NAE, vegetarian-fed and organic options for consumers. We're dedicated to reducing antibiotic use through research and improved management with alternatives to antibiotics. However, antibiotics and ionophores remain necessary for disease treatment and prevention. Our veterinary and nutrition teams will work with alternative compound producers, universities, and researchers to stay at the forefront of innovation.

We only raise and source livestock and poultry that have not been cloned, genetically modified or engineered. We are also aware that scientific developments which may benefit the health and well-being of livestock and poultry are ongoing and we will continue to review these in partnership with our customers. For more information on the animal welfare requirements for our suppliers, please visit Supplier Relations.