NewsCategory: Scott’s Chicken Blog

From Our Founder To You

Scott Sechler is dedicated to excellence in the poultry industry and has transformed every part of the process, from hatching to harvesting. Always challenging the status quo, you can read about the industry and Bell & Evans’ innovations here on Scott’s Chicken Blog.

ASPCA Visit

May 17, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

We had the pleasure of hosting four representatives from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) last week. I showed them our further processing and packaging facility and took them on a tour of our new organic certified, animal-welfare-focused Chicken Hatchery.

The “Halo Effect” – Label Confusion & Dishonesty

May 1, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

Commodity producers have figured out there’s money to be made in the natural and organic markets. Price used to drive most food purchasing decisions, but today there’s a greater demand for premium, natural and organic items.

Is Your “Organic” Purchase Organic?

April 20, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

When you pay a premium for “organic,” you assume the item you’re purchasing is free from pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics or food additives. You believe the producer and its suppliers and farmers are committed to providing high quality foods, using agriculture’s most sustainable best practices.

My Opinion of the Proposed Organic Livestock Care Rule (and its Cancellation)

April 9, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

Kudos to the Trump administration for canceling the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule. For those who aren’t entrenched in the day-to-day operations of raising organic broiler chickens, the proposal may have seemed reasonable.

Dark Meat and Skin

April 2, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

I want to let you in on a little secret. If you’re someone who only eats the white meat of chicken, you’re missing out! Dark meat is even more tender and flavorful than white, especially when you leave the skin intact.

Egg Care – Demand No Formaldehyde!

March 6, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

Formaldehyde is commonly used to disinfect eggs. Despite being a toxic chemical, profit-driven producers use formaldehyde to fumigate eggs because it’s a cheap way to minimize bacteria. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer and other serious health issues, so I decided many years ago that it had no business near my eggs or team members. We use NO formaldehyde in our operations.

Leading the Charge in Humane Animal Welfare!

March 1, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (CAS) has been in the news this week - a large commodity chicken producer announced its investment in their first CAS system and improvements to its live-bird handling.

Why a “Slow-growth Chicken” Focus Alone is Problematic

February 21, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

In my last blog, I introduced our new, proprietary breed of higher-welfare chickens named Das Klassenbester™. If you haven’t read that post, you may want to start there because this is a continuation of that discussion.

Introducing Das Klassenbester™ Chickens!

February 13, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

We recently shared BIG news with the poultry industry – 100% of our chickens are transitioning to a higher-welfare, slower-growing breed by the end of 2018, which will result in a better quality, more flavorful product!

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

January 8, 2018 Scott's Chicken Blog

When it comes to wings, the smaller, the better! Unfortunately, many restaurants want to advertise large or jumbo wings, and people order them thinking they’re getting more bang for their buck and not knowing what a great wing is supposed to taste like.

No Cut Corners – How Even Our Chick Transport Trailers Exceed the Norm!

November 6, 2017 Scott's Chicken Blog

When it comes to chick transportation, our trailers are the Rolls Royce! We recently purchased two “HatchTravellers” from HatchTech, the same Dutch company that designed our chick hatchers at our new World’s First Organic Certified Animal Welfare Focused Chicken Hatchery.

Baby Wipes…Really?

October 5, 2017 Scott's Chicken Blog

Some commodity chicken producers claim to wipe down their eggs with baby wipes. We don’t do this at Bell & Evans, and I think this practice raises some questions.

Chlorinated Chicken Concerns – Is Europe Overreacting?

September 29, 2017 Scott's Chicken Blog

Since Brexit, the U.S. and U.K. have been talking about a trade deal. One of the biggest disputes is regarding American chicken! Europe doesn’t want American chicken because of a process called “water chilling” that most U.S.

It’s Official! We have the World’s First Organic Certified Animal Welfare Focused Chicken Hatchery!

September 5, 2017 Scott's Chicken Blog

This has been an exciting time for Bell & Evans! On Saturday, August 26, the first chicks began to hatch at our brand new hatchery.

Greed Over Good Sense

August 18, 2017 Scott's Chicken Blog

Greed prevailed. According to an article published today by LancasterOnline, the state approved an air pollution plan for Perdue’s hexane soybean processing plant in Lancaster County. Apparently in Pennsylvania, pollution isn’t an issue.

“Special” Isn’t Good Enough for Us

August 17, 2017 Scott's Chicken Blog

Our take on the August 14, 2017, Bloomberg article “That Chicken From Whole Foods Isn’t So Special Anymore.” We agree that the chicken at the other end of the case shouldn’t be there.

National Organic Program (NOP) and National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) – What are they thinking?

August 4, 2017 Scott's Chicken Blog

Scott’s Perspective... Excerpt from Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Agriculture—National Organic Program, 205.236*: “Poultry or edible poultry products must be from poultry that has been under continuous organic management beginning no later than the second day of life.” Wow.

White Striping, White Striation or Woody Breasts on Chicken

April 5, 2017 Scott's Chicken Blog

This issue is all about genetics and industry greed. There are only three major breeding companies in the broiler industry—in the world! One of the breeding companies is owned by a major chicken producer, another owned by investment bankers.

The Excellent Chicken

April 1, 2017 Scott's Chicken Blog

Hi there. My name is Scott Sechler, and this is my chicken blog. Some people buy into businesses and others build them. Well, I’ve worked with and around chickens for almost my entire life, so I’ve learned a thing or two throughout the years.