Poultry
Find out more about our approach to sourcing poultry
Poultry is very important to M&S. We source chicken, turkey, duck and goose for sale as M&S fresh products as well as for ingredient use in our food.
We source in the region of 50,000 tonnes of fresh poultry annually from over 400 farms in the UK. We are strong supporters of the UK farming industry and try and source locally wherever possible to deliver the freshest food for our customers.
We have been widely recognised as a leader in supporting sustainable livestock practices. We have invested in research and innovation for many years to develop and improve farming practices that benefit farmers and the environment.
In December 2017, we pledged our support to the European Broiler Ask (Better Chicken.Org Commitment) and have committed to meet the criteria by 2026. We received a Special Recognition Award in July 2021 from CIWF in response to our announcement that all our fresh Oakham chicken would meet the European Broiler Ask requirements by Autumn 2022.
Establishing and maintaining clear minimum sourcing standards
- We require complete supply chain traceability
- As a minimum all our farms must be independently assured to UK Red Tractor standards or an equivalent scheme
- Sourcing must be in accordance with our Farm Animal Health and Welfare Policy
- We require producers to adhere to our policy on responsible antimicrobial use. We do not permit routine use of antimicrobials and the use of growth promoting antibiotics and hormones is prohibited
- UK labour providers used to provide temporary labour must have a valid license with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority
- Suppliers and farms must comply with the relevant M&S Select Farm Sourcing Standards or M&S Codes of Practice (see below)
We prohibit the addition of any animal or avian derived by-products in any of our poultry feed. This applies to the breeding birds as well as the growing chickens.
In December 2017, we pledged our support to the European Broiler Ask and have committed to meet the criteria by 2026. This means by 2026, we will require our suppliers to meet the following requirements for 100% of the fresh, frozen, and processed chicken in our supply chain:
- Comply with all EU animal welfare laws and regulations, regardless of the country of production.
- Implement a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m2 or less. Thinning is discouraged and if practiced must be limited to one thin per flock.
- Adopt breeds that demonstrate higher welfare outcomes: either the following breeds, Hubbard JA757, 787, 957, or 987, Rambler Ranger, Ranger Classic, and Ranger Gold, or others that meet the criteria of the RSPCA Broiler Breed Welfare Assessment Protocol.
- Meet improved environmental standards including:
- At least 50 lux of light, including natural light.
- At least two metres of usable perch space, and two pecking substrates, per 1,000 birds.
- On air quality, at least the requirements of Annex 2.3 of the EU broiler directive, regardless of stocking density.
- No cages or multi-tier systems.
- Adopt controlled atmospheric stunning using inert gas or multi-phase systems, or effective electrical stunning without live inversion.
- Demonstrate compliance with the above standards via third-party auditing and annual public reporting on progress towards this commitment
Halal
We also sell a range of Shazans branded Halal chicken in a selection of stores, which has been certified by the Halal Food Authority (HFA). Birds reared for Shazans products are from farms that meet our Select Farm requirements and are pre-slaughter stunned. Find out more about the HFA’s Halal food certification.
All poultry must have originated from a hatchery that is Red Tractor, or equivalent, assured. And all feeds must be sourced from a feedmill that is Universal Feed Assurance Scheme certified and manufactured in accordance with M&S requirements (see below).
In December 2017, we pledged our support to the European Broiler Ask and have committed to meet the criteria by 2026 (see 'M&S Select Farm Assurance - Chicken' above for more information).
- Red Tractor Standards minus 10%
- Free range – 25kg/m2
- Organic – 21kg/m2
- Red Tractor Assurance Poultry Scheme – Hatcheries or equivalent standard.
- Humane Slaughter Association Code of Practice for the Disposal of Chicks in Hatcheries
We also require suppliers to source soy-containing feed to a standard that has been confirmed by the International Trade Centre's (ITC) Standards Map as meeting the requirements of the European Feed Manufacturers Federation (FEFAC) Soy Sourcing Guidelines. Find out more about our approach to protecting forests.
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress
- Review the health and safety risks on their site and identify how to communicate them effectively to workers
- Understand the steps they need to take to effectively screen new workers to ensure they have the right to work and are of the right age
- Provide contracts to ensure farmers and their workers are clear on their contractual rights and responsibilities
- Accurately record hours and provide payslips to workers
Supporting programmes that further our understanding and build capacity within our supply chain
- Feed
- Animal welfare
- Energy consumption
- Litter quality
- Heating/ventilation
- Ongoing development and rollout of Welfare Outcome Measures
- Development of Outcome Measures to understand environmental impact, including collaboration with Cool Farm Alliance
- Optimum space allowances for chicken production
- Environmental enrichment for chicken production
- Optimal bedding substrates to reduce risk of footpad dermatitis in broiler chickens
- Responsible use of animal medicines
- Reduction of Campylobacter in broiler chickens on farm and at slaughter
- Developing tools to capture behavioural outcome measures
Category | Sustainability Measure |
Welfare Measures | |
Liveability | Percent (%) mortality including culls |
Percent (%) dead on arrival | |
Disease | Percent (%) condemnations |
Antimicrobial use by type, dose and treatment case (and if treated in first 7 days) | |
Injury | Percent (%) flock with contact dermatitis (footpad dermatitis and hockburn) |
Percent (%) of animals with leg and wing breaks and bruising | |
Mobility | Percent (%) flock cull for leg abnormalities |
Behaviour | Maximum stocking density of flock |
Presence / absence of enrichment provision (natural light, bales, platforms and pecking objects) | |
Environmental Measures | |
Climate Change | Percent (%) total energy use from renewable source |
Land System Change | Proportion (%) of diet in competition with human diets (non-forage based) |
Proportion (%) of diet components from certified sustainable sources | |
Freshwater Use | Percent (%) total water use from renewable/recycled water use (non-mains) |
Biodiversity | Percent (%) of total area not in production, set aside and managed for wildlife, or protected and condition (if known) |
Percent (%) total land (Ha) that is protected (including SSSI, SPA, SAC, ELS/HLS, etc) and condition (if known) | |
N and P Flows | Proportion of manure handled under safe management and storage |
Chemical Pollution | Percent (%) total waste routinely recycled |
Category | Sustainability measure |
Welfare measures | |
Liveability | Percent (%) mortality including culls |
Percent (%) dead on arrival | |
Disease | Percent (%) condemnations |
Antimicrobial use by type, dose and treatment case | |
Duck cleanliness score percent (%) flock | |
Duck feather score percent (%) flock | |
Duck nostril health score percent (%) flock | |
Ocular health score percent (%) flock | |
Injury | Percent (%) flock with contact dermatitis (footpad dermatitis) |
Mobility | Percent (%) flock culled for leg abnormalities |
Behaviour | Maximum stocking density of flock |
Presence/absence of enrichment provision (natural light, water provision) | |
Environment measures | |
Climate Change | Percent (%) total energy use from renewable source |
Land System Change | Proportion (%) of diet in competition with human diets (non-forage based) |
Proportion (%) of diet components from certified sustainable sources | |
Freshwater Use | Percent (%) total water use from renewable/recycled water use (non-mains) |
Biodiversity
| Percent (%) of total area not in production, set aside and managed for wildlife, or protected and condition (if known) |
Percent (%) total land (Ha) that is protected (including SSSI, SPA, SAC, ELS/HLS, etc) and condition (if known) | |
N and P Flows | Proportion of manure handled under safe management and storage |
Chemical Pollution | Percent (%) total waste routinely recycled |
NOTE: Measures are recorded on all flocks within the M&S supply. Welfare outcome measures are captured at the time of depopulation and reported monthly. Environmental measures are collected annually. Where 'outcome' measures are not currently available or practical to collect, 'input' measures are used in the interim (shown in italics).
Category | Sustainability Measure |
Welfare Measures | |
Liveability | Percent (%) mortality, including culls (first week and total) |
Percent (%) mortality during transport | |
Disease | Percent (%) condemnations |
Antimicrobial use by type, dose and treatment case (and if treated in first 7 days) | |
Injury | Percent (%) flock with contact dermatitis (footpad dermatitis) |
Percent (%) animals with leg and wing breaks and bruising | |
Mobility | Percent (%) flock culled for leg abnormalities |
Behaviour | Maximum stocking density of flock |
Presence/absence of enrichment provision (natural light, bales, platforms and pecking objects) | |
Environmental Measures | |
Climate Change | Percent (%) total energy use from renewable source |
Land System Change | Proportion (%) of diet in competition with human diets (non-forage based) |
Proportion (%) of diet components from certified sustainable sources | |
Freshwater Use | Percent (%) total water use from renewable/recycled water use (non-mains) |
Biodiversity | Percent (%) of total area not in production, set aside and managed for wildlife, or protected and condition (if known) |
Percent (%) total land (Ha) that is protected (including SSSI, SPA, SAC, ELS/HLS, etc) and condition (if known) | |
N and P Flows | Proportion (%) manure handled under safe management and storage |
Chemical Pollution | Percent (%) total waste routinely recycled |
Supporting programmes which enhance the lives of people and communities
Performance summary
During 2019/20, FSIG carried out Welfare Audits of the primary processors to ensure transport, lairage and slaughter all meet our requirements. Find out more about how our suppliers are performing.
We're committed to reporting on our use of animal welfare and environmental outcome-indicators. In 2017, we began to report on a number of key measures below:
Chicken Supply
Reported Measures | Free Range / Organic | Fresh (OakhamTM) | Ingredient including frozen (UK and EU) | High welfare indoor | |
Number of animals | 2,000,499 | 25,697,101 | 298,220,467 | 3,470,579 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks grown to the following maximum stocking densities: | |||||
< 38 kg/m2 (1 thin) | 0 | 0 | 96 | 0 | |
<34 kg/m2 (no thin) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
<30 kg/m2 (1 thin) | 0 | 100 | 0 | ||
≤ 30 Kg / m2 (no thin) | 1 | 100 | |||
<27.5kg/m2 (1 thin) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
<27.5kg/m2 (1 thin) | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
<21.5kg/m2 (no thin) | 58 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with any behavioural enrichment | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with the following enrichment: | |||||
Natural light | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Bales | 100 | 100 | 94 | 100 | |
Perching Platforms | 100 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
Perches | 100 | 100 | 84 | 100 | |
Pecking objects | 100 | 100 | 91 | 100 | |
Maximum transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (including loading and unloading) | 2.3 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8 | |
Average transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (including loading and unloading) | 1.6 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.9 | |
Average flock mortality during transport (% birds dead on arrival) | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.03 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks pre-stunned prior to slaughter | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | |
Proportion (%) if eligible animals that received an ineffective stun across all supply | 0.000006 |
1 From 2017 we moved to reporting calendar year. Previous years data was reported in a financial year basis, i.e. April to March.
2 During 2017/18, we focussed on improving standards in EU ingredient supply through increased enrichment and provision of straw bales and natural light.
Oakham
Outcome measure | Supply result | % Farms meeting 2025 target | M&S 2025 Target for 95% flocks | |
Number of animals | 25,459,906 | |||
Liveability | Total mortality, including culls (%) | 4.42 | 7 | 3.50 |
Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.05 | 100 | 0.01 | |
Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 1.06 | 0 | 0.50 |
Antimicrobial usage (mg/PCU) | 13. | n/a | Adhere to M&S policy | |
Antimicrobial usage of HPCI antimicrobials | 0.00 | 100 | 0 mg/PCU |
Ingredient (UK and EU)
Outcome measure | Supply result | % Farms meeting 2025 target | M&S 2025 Target for 95% flocks | |
Number of animals | 305,366,941 | |||
Liveability | Total mortality, including culls (%) | 4.65 | 34 | 3.50 |
Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.08 | 82 | 0.01 | |
Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 1.24 | 20 | 0.50 |
Antimicrobial usage (mg/PCU) | 21.40 | n/a | Adhere to M&S policy | |
Antimicrobial usage of HPCI antimicrobials | 0 | 100 | 0 mg/PCU |
Free Range & Organic
Outcome measure | Supply result | % Farms meeting 2025 target | M&S 2025 Target for 95% flocks | |
Number of animals | 2,314,684 | |||
Liveability | Total mortality, including culls (%) | 4.70 | 0 | 3.50 |
Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.03 | 100 | 0.01 | |
Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 0.45 | 100 | 0.50 |
Antimicrobial usage (mg/PCU) | 0 | n/a | Adhere to M&S Policy | |
Antimicrobial usage of HPCI antimicrobials | 0 | 100 | 0 mg/PCU |
Oakham Gold
Outcome measure | Supply result | % Farms meeting 2025 target | M&S 2025 Target for 95% flocks | |
Number of animals | 3,222,513 | |||
Liveability | Total mortality, including culls (%) | 2.39 | 92 | 3.50 |
Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.03 | 100 | 0.01 | |
Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 0.53 | 42 | 0.50 |
Antimicrobial usage (mg/PCU) | 2.27 | n/a | Adhere to M&S Policy | |
Antimicrobial usage of HPCI antimicrobials | 0 | 0 | 0 mg/PCU |
Duck Supply
Reported Measures | Fresh and Ingredient Supply (including frozen) | |
Number of animals | 7,747,000 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks grown to the following maximum stocking densities: | ||
<25 kg/m2 | 0.00 | |
<17 kg/m2 | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with any behavioural enrichment | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with the following enrichment: | ||
Natural light | 100 | |
Water troughs | 100 | |
Maximum transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (inc. loading and unloading) | 6.6 | |
Average transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (inc. loading and unloading) | 4.2 | |
Average flock mortality during transport (% birds dead on arrival) | 0.03 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks pre-stunned prior to slaughter | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of eligible animals that received an ineffective stun | 0.01 |
1 From 2017 we moved to reporting calendar year. Previous years data was reported in a financial year basis, i.e. April to March.
Turkey
Reported Measures | Fresh & Ingredient Supply (including frozen) | |
Number of animals | 1,534,981 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks grown to the following maximum stocking densities: | ||
QBT – 10 | 77.80 | |
QBT | 0 | |
<25kg/m2 | 22.20 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks that are beak-trimmed | 80 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with any behavioural enrichment | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks provided with the following enrichment: | ||
Natural light | 100 | |
Bales | 100 | |
Perching platform or ramp | 94 | |
Perches | 22 | |
Pecking objects | 100 | |
Maximum transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (inc. loading and unloading) | 4.85 | |
Average transport time (hrs) to factory across all flocks (inc. loading and unloading) | 2.47 | |
Average flock mortality during transport (% birds dead on arrival) | 0.02 | |
Proportion (%) of flocks pre-stunned prior to slaughter | 100 | |
Proportion (%) of eligible animals that received an ineffective stun | 0.00 |
1 From 2017 we moved to reporting calendar year. Previous years data was reported in a financial year basis, i.e. April to March.
2 From 2018, the minimum standard for out turkey production will be QBT -10. Stocking density as defined by the Quality British Turkey (QBT) Standard based on finished weight of the bird minus 10. Changes to year 3 reporting figures due to the inclusion of more suppliers and production systems within the report.
We aim to use this data to shape future production standards and drive a continual improvement culture across our farm supply base.
| Fresh and Ingredient (Including frozen) | Free Range and Organic Supply | |
Outcome measure | |||
Number of animals | 1,129,516 | 153,900 | |
Liveability | Total mortality first 7 days (%) | 2.43 | 0.77 |
Total mortality (placed flocks) (%) | 6.00 | n/a | |
Total dead on arrival (%) | 0.04 | 0.02 | |
Disease | Total PMI rejects / condemnations (%) | 0.05 | 0.15 |