Chicken meal is a common ingredient found in many pet foods, especially dry kibble But what exactly is chicken meal, and how is it made? This step-by-step guide will explain the process of making chicken meal, from start to finish
What is Chicken Meal?
Chicken meal is made from cooked, dried, and ground chicken meat and skin. Processing at high temperatures lowers the amount of water in the food, making it a very concentrated source of protein.
To increase the amount of protein in pet food, chicken meal is a good choice because it has about 65% protein. It also contains vitamins and minerals like calcium.
Why Use Chicken Meal in Pet Food?
There are several reasons chicken meal is so popular in pet food:
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Concentrated protein source – The high protein content helps meet nutritional requirements for dogs and cats.
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Flavor enhancer – Pets find the flavor of chicken meal very palatable.
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Preservation – The low moisture content allows chicken meal to be stored and preserved for longer periods versus fresh chicken.
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Cost-effective – Using chicken meal is more affordable than fresh meat for pet food manufacturers.
Step-by-Step Process
Sourcing
The process starts with sourcing chicken from poultry suppliers. This can include whole bodies or just certain parts, like breasts, thighs, legs, and so on. The quality of the raw chicken can vary.
Cooking
Next, the chicken goes through a cooking process to prepare it for drying, which helps enhance flavor and kill bacteria. Methods include:
- Boiling
- Steaming
- Baking
Cooking temps typically reach 165°F or higher.
Drying
After cooking, the chicken is dried to remove moisture. Drying methods include:
- Oven drying
- Air drying
- Spray drying
Temperatures can reach up to 380°F during drying.
Grinding
The chicken is finally ground up into a fine powder or meal after it has been dried enough. This helps create a uniform texture. Hammermills or pulverizers are commonly used.
Mixing
At this stage, the ground chicken meal powder can be combined or mixed with other protein meals, like poultry or fish meals, to achieve the desired nutritional formulation.
Supplementing
Additional nutrient supplements may be added to balance and boost the nutritional profile. Common supplements include amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Testing & Analysis
Before packaging, samples undergo laboratory testing and analysis to verify nutritional contents, bacteria levels, and quality.
Packaging
Finally, the chicken meal is packaged into bags or containers for storage and shipment to pet food manufacturers.
Quality Control
Throughout the manufacturing process, quality control measures should be in place to ensure safety and quality:
- Monitor cooking temps and drying times
- Test samples for moisture content
- Verify particle sizes during grinding
- Assess nutritional composition
- Check for Salmonella and other pathogens
- Ensure proper storage conditions
High-quality chicken meal is produced using good manufacturing practices to yield a nutritious, safe product.
The Bottom Line
Chicken meal offers a concentrated, affordable protein source for pet foods. Through cooking, drying, grinding and supplementing, chicken can be transformed into a powder full of essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals to help meet the nutritional needs of pets. Following proper quality control and processing standards results in a quality chicken meal ingredient.
Why Is Chicken Meal Used in Dog Food?
Chicken meal is a very concentrated source of protein and Dr. says it is a “cost-effective and efficient way to increase the protein content of dog food.” Sabrina Kong, DVM, a vet at a small-animal clinic in Northern California, a dog trainer and a veterinary consultant for We Love Doodles.
Fresh chicken has more protein per pound than dog food made with chicken meal because chicken meal doesn’t have much water in it.
Is Chicken Meal Good for Dogs? Benefits of Chicken Meal
Yes, chicken meal adds nutritional value to a dog’s diet. In fact, it has several benefits, says Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital of West Monroe in West Monroe, Louisiana, and the co-founder of How To Pets.
- Highly concentrated source of protein: One of the best things about chicken meal is that it has a lot of protein. Chicken meal is a concentrated source, which means it gives your dog more protein per bite than fresh chicken, which has a lot of water in it, says Dr. Ochoa. Protein is important for a dog’s health because it helps muscles and tissues heal.
- Full of essential amino acids: “As a vet, I always stress how important amino acids are because they are the building blocks of proteins,” says Dr. Ochoa. Amino acids are important for the dog’s health and well-being and help keep the coat and skin healthy.
- Minerals are easy to get from chicken meal, which has calcium and phosphorus. Ochoa says are vital for strong teeth and bones.
- The right amount of fat: chicken meal has the right amount of fat. There is a lot of energy in fats, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can’t be absorbed without them, says Dr. Ochoa says. “Plus, they help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. ”.
- Chicken meal is an easy-to-find ingredient in dry dog food that doesn’t go bad. Because chicken meal is cooked, it has little water in it. This makes it a stable ingredient that is less likely to go bad.
- Cost-effective source of nutrients: chicken meal is cheaper than fresh meat. “Chicken meal is a good choice for pet owners on a budget because it contains a lot of nutrients in a small amount,” says Dr. Ochoa.
What is Chicken Feed Made From?? | MD F&H
FAQ
What is chicken meal made out of?
Chicken meal is the dry rendered product from a combination of clean chicken flesh and skin with or without accompanying bone, derived from whole carcasses of chicken, exclusive of feathers, heads, feet and entrails.
Is chicken meal good for your dog?
Is Chicken Meal Good for Dogs? Yes! There are plenty of nutritional benefits of chicken meal, which is why you’ll often find it in dog food. For starters, chicken meal is packed with protein, an essential nutrient that plays a role in everything from muscle growth to immune functions.
Is chicken meal a filler?
It is not. “Meal” is a way of getting animal protein in kibble, that’s it. It is not a filler. Now, apart from animal protein, we can see other ingredients that are again, thought of as fillers. This is where we return to the corn, corn gluten, wheat and soy ingredients.
Is chicken meal good for humans?
You’ll Get All Essential Amino Acids Animal protein sources, such as chicken, are known for being complete protein sources, meaning that chicken has the perfect balance of all nine essential amino acids.