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 chicken flesh and skin that has been cooked, dried, and ground into a powder. The high temperatures used in processing reduce moisture content, resulting in a very concentrated source of protein.
Chicken meal contains about 65% protein, making it desirable for boosting the protein content in pet food. 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 carcasses or specific parts like breast, thighs, legs, etc. 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
Once sufficiently dried, the chicken goes through a grinding process to break it down into a fine powder or meal. 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?
A highly concentrated source of protein, chicken meal is a “cost-effective and efficient way to increase the protein content of dog food,” says Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, a vet at a small-animal clinic in Northern California, a dog trainer and a veterinary consultant for We Love Doodles.
Dog food made with chicken meal contains more protein per pound of food than fresh chicken because the moisture content of chicken meal is low.
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: A huge benefit of chicken meal is the high protein content. “Unlike fresh chicken, which contains a lot of water, chicken meal is a concentrated source, meaning it gives your dog more protein per bite,” says Dr. Ochoa. Protein is an essential part of a dog’s diet because it aids in tissue repair and muscle growth.
- Rich in essential amino acids: “As a vet, I always emphasize the importance of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins,” says Dr. Ochoa. Amino acids help maintain a healthy coat and skin, and they’re crucial for the dog’s health and well-being.
- Great source of minerals: Chicken meal contains calcium and phosphorus, minerals Dr. Ochoa says are vital for strong teeth and bones.
- Ideal fat content: Chicken meal contains a beneficial amount of fat. “Dietary fats are a concentrated energy source and they’re also pivotal for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K),” Dr. Ochoa says. “Plus, they help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.”
- Shelf stable: Chicken meal is a convenient dry dog food ingredient. Due to the cooking process, the moisture content of chicken meal is low, making it a stable ingredient that is less likely to spoil.
- Cost-effective nutrient source: Fresh meat is simply more expensive than chicken meal. “For [pet parents] balancing a budget, chicken meal is cost-effective because it packs a lot of nutritional value into a smaller 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.