Quote Originally Posted by Jabberwocky Dragons View Post
It is probably okay as an occasional food item, as posters here have stated they do without problems, but there's no evidence of it being a superior staple food source than rats. Knowing how chickens are raised makes me particularly concerned about pathogen transmission. Rats bred for the feeder trade are extremely clean by comparison. If your aunt raises them in the identical manner as regular hatcheries, just with organic feed, then I would still be concerned. If it's a true free-range operation, and not just FDA labeled free-range, then that would be much safer.
Thanks for the info. Her farm is 100% free range on land that has not had any chemical fertilization in the last 70 years (documented). I was also asking about day old chicks so i don't think they would have been on feed yet. Just an idea on something i can throw into the rat mix possibly as i can get them from her at the cost of a 2 hour drive lol. Thanks again I will check out that article.