Are Chicken Wings Made From Small Baby Chickens?  

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I grew up learning that white meat is good, healthy stuff. I wasn’t raised on a farm and had no real idea where the meat I ate came from. My dad is a hunter, so we would have wild game on special occasions. As I got older I became increasingly aware of the environmental and ethical impact of eating large amounts of factory-produced meat. I actually remember sitting at the dining table with my family one evening, staring down at my tasty snack of chicken wings, suddenly wondering “Are these wings made from those cute, small baby chickens?”. Next followed 10 years of a strictly vegetarian diet… 

With our growing commitment to ethically sourcing our own meat, it’s crucial to distinguish fact from fiction when it comes to popular food items like chicken wings. If you’re like me and are wondering whether those wings come from little baby chickens, rest assured, they don’t. However, that’s only part of the story. You see, while chickens in factory farms are considered fully mature when farmers harvest them, the reality is that they are at that point only 8 to 12 weeks old.

I always recommend reading the entire post as I’m working hard to make it interesting and useful. But if you’re just here for the sustainable way to keep eating chicken without the guilt, then jump right to that here!

I started eating meat again right before getting pregnant with our firstborn. I was still concerned with animal welfare, but I hardly knew there were any other options than to buy meat at the store. At the time we did not have a lot of money and we falsely thought that ethical meat was extremely expensive. However, the motivation needed to search for better options came when our baby boy was ready to start eating meat. We started reading books, listening to podcasts and talking to people. When we bought our homestead in 2018 we were quickly integrated into a community of homesteaders and farmers. We suddenly experienced a much steeper learning curve, and soon enough we had our own flock of backyard chickens, were learning weird bird-related words like adult plumage, and were raising meat rabbits. 

Since then, we have been slowly working our way towards achieving self-sufficiency with meat. This does not mean that we produce all the meat we consume in a year, but we try to buy as little as possible from the grocery store. My parents generously provide us with wild game harvested on their farm. We processed an entire pig bought from our neighbors last year and are now enjoying the last bits of it. Our goal for this year is to achieve self-sufficiency with fish. Additionally, we have almost managed to become self-sufficient with chicken meat. Raising and processing our own poultry allows us to eat all those delicious chicken dishes (with all the hot sauce) and utilize the whole bird with a good conscience. We never have to wonder if our chicken wings are made from baby chickens.

But let’s delve deeper into the reasons and consequences of harvesting 8-12-week-old chicks. To maximize production, factory farms have prioritized rapid growth in young birds. Through selective breeding and the use of hybrid breeds, these chicken breeds reach full size in a remarkably short span of 8 to 12 weeks. However, this extremely accelerated growth does come at a cost. Many of these chickens experience skeletal disorders and leg deformities due to their inability to handle their own weight. Their body mass increases too fast. Although baby chickens are not used to make chicken wings, the definition of a baby chicken varies according to breed.

The feeding practices in these large-scale farms raise concerns about the quality of meat that ends up on our plates. To support rapid growth, chickens are often fed a diet that includes antibiotics, hormones, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These practices can have potential implications for human health. Antibiotic residues in chicken meat contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, making it harder to treat bacterial infections in humans. Although this sounds scary and is still a very real problem there is reason to feel carefully optimistic. I encourage you to read this article from the US Poultry and Egg-Association about the decrease in antibiotics used in poultry over the last 10 years.

As I grow older, my naivety is fading. Despite my best efforts to seek beauty and kindness, the darker aspects of this world are increasingly exposing themselves to me. You might have come across those disturbing viral videos filmed within chicken farms in the United States, as well as elsewhere. There is more happening in this chaotic world than meets the eye. Every day, people make decisions behind closed doors and in hushed conversations that directly affect us. Animal welfare is one of the critical issues at the forefront. This troubling situation raises serious ethical concerns regarding animal welfare. There is an urgent need for responsible sourcing and alternative options that prioritize the well-being of these animals. However, making different choices becomes impossible unless we actually have information and knowledge of what is going on. And a lot of people don’t want to know.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Nelson mandela

But now that you know, let’s dive into some ways to make ethical choices without breaking the bank.

• Buy directly from local farmers or join community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. These can offer more affordable access to responsibly raised meats because you’ve cut out the middleman. 
• If you have space consider raising your own meat chickens. This is not for everyone and obviously requires some space, time and effort. But you will be able to spoil those little chicks to whatever degree your heart desires. And you can keep a couple of adult chickens for eggs!
• When buying free range and organic chicken, look for different parts of the bird. Cuts of meat that are less popular but still delicious, as they are often more affordable. For example, chicken thighs or drumsticks offer a more budget-friendly option compared to chicken breast. Choosing to buy a whole chicken is an excellent choice. By the way, did you know that boneless wings are actually made from chicken breast?
• Reduce waste and maximize leftovers. Make the most of your purchase by using leftover meat in sandwiches, salads, or pasta dishes for subsequent meals. You can also repurpose bones and trimmings to make homemade stocks or broths, adding flavor and value to your cooking.
• Instead of making meat the main focus of your meals, use it as a flavoring ingredient. By using smaller amounts of meat in dishes like stir-fries, soups, or casseroles, you can still enjoy the taste while reducing your overall consumption.
• Dogs should not have anything containing chicken bones as it could lead to a seriously dangerous situation for them. However, chicken broth is great stuff for dogs! Throw your leftover whole chicken wings or whatever part of the chicken you have left, into a pot and boil for 6 hours. Save in a glass jar in your fridge and add some to your dog’s food every day. 

By being resourceful and open-minded, you can make ethical choices while keeping your wallet happy.

There’s hope because you actively sought out an answer to the question “Are chicken wings made from baby chickens”. More and more people are buying ethically and many are joining the backyard chicken keeping movement. Raising chickens in a free-range environment provides an alternative to factory farming. It’s about eggs and the occasional small wings for those who desire them. People who buy ethically and join the backyard chicken keeping movement encourage a personal connection with our food source and emphasize sustainable and humane practices. Which is exactly what we need to heal this world. 

Becoming a better citizen of the planet is an ongoing task. But if you found this content interesting and would like to learn more about how we live here on The Norwegian Homestead, please consider joining our newsletter, “The Flock”. You’ll learn about animal welfare, regenerative farming, healthy, natural food and personal development. By signing up, you’ll gain valuable insights, tips, and resources to align your values with your food choices. Together we can contribute to a more ethical and sustainable food system. Let’s make little steps together. Like economizing meals, reducing waste, and supporting local farmers. As awareness grows and compassionate choices become mainstream, we will create a future where both people and animals thrive. Join “The Flock” today and be part of this inspiring movement!

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