[Last Updated July 2026 - Reviewed by the Springer Mountain Farms Animal Care Team]
When you choose Springer Mountain Farms® chicken, you're choosing chicken raised with No Antibiotics Ever (NAE).
But what exactly does that mean?
Simply put, No Antibiotics Ever means our chickens are never given antibiotics at any point during their lives—from hatch to harvest.
It's a commitment we've maintained since 1997, making Springer Mountain Farms one of the pioneers of No Antibiotics Ever chicken production in the United States.
For nearly three decades, we've partnered with independent family farmers who share our belief that healthy chickens begin with quality nutrition, responsible animal care, and a healthy growing environment—not antibiotics.
No Antibiotics Ever: Quick Facts
If you're looking for the short answer, here's what No Antibiotics Ever means at Springer Mountain Farms:
- ✔ Our chickens are never given antibiotics during their lifetime.
- ✔ Chickens are raised through preventive care, quality nutrition, clean housing, and strong flock management.
- ✔ If chickens becomes sick and require antibiotic treatment, they are treated—but they are removed from the Springer Mountain Farms program and never sold under our brand.
- ✔ We've proudly raised chickens with No Antibiotics Ever since 1997.
- ✔ Springer Mountain Farms was the first poultry producer in the world to become American Humane Certified®.
- ✔ Federal regulations prohibit poultry containing antibiotic residues from entering the food supply.
What Does "No Antibiotics Ever" Mean?
No Antibiotics Ever means chickens are raised without receiving antibiotics at any stage of production—from hatch to harvest.
At Springer Mountain Farms, antibiotics are never administered through feed, water, or injections.
Consumers often use terms like "antibiotic-free chicken," "raised without antibiotics," or "no antibiotics." While these phrases are commonly used interchangeably, No Antibiotics Ever is the clearest and most recognized industry claim indicating that chickens were never given antibiotics during their lifetime.
Why Does Springer Mountain Farms Raise Chickens Without Antibiotics?
Healthy chickens begin with healthy farming practices.
Rather than relying on antibiotics, our farmers focus on preventing illness through responsible flock management and exceptional animal care.
Our approach includes:
- Nutritious all-vegetarian feed with no animal by-products ever
- Clean, well-maintained poultry houses
- Continuous access to fresh water
- Proper ventilation and air quality
- Strict biosecurity practices
- Careful flock management
- Daily health monitoring
- American Humane Certified™ animal care standards
These practices help support healthy birds while maintaining our commitment to No Antibiotics Ever.
A Commitment Since 1997
Long before consumers began actively searching for chicken raised without antibiotics, Springer Mountain Farms made the decision to do things differently.
Since 1997, we've worked alongside independent family farmers committed to raising chickens without antibiotics while maintaining high standards for animal welfare and responsible farming.
Today, Springer Mountain Farms remains one of the nation's longest-standing and most recognized No Antibiotics Ever chicken brands.
Does Eating Chicken Cause Antibiotic Resistance?
One of the most common questions consumers ask today is whether eating chicken raised with antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria adapt over time due to overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics, making certain antibiotics less effective at treating infections in people or animals. Public health experts recognize antibiotic resistance as a complex issue involving human medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and environmental factors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides additional information about antimicrobial resistance and responsible antibiotic stewardship in food-producing animals.
Many consumers choose No Antibiotics Ever chicken because they prefer poultry raised without antibiotics as part of responsible antibiotic stewardship.
Choosing Springer Mountain Farms means choosing chicken raised without antibiotics throughout its entire life, while supporting farming practices focused on prevention rather than routine antibiotic use.
What Happens If a Chicken Gets Sick?
Animal welfare always comes first.
Just like people and pets, chickens can become sick.
If a flock of birds require antibiotics to treat a disease that threatens their health and welfare, they receive the treatment they need. However, those chickens are immediately removed from the Springer Mountain Farms No Antibiotics Ever program and are never sold under the Springer Mountain Farms brand.
This policy allows us to uphold our No Antibiotics Ever commitment while ensuring every animal receives appropriate veterinary care.
How Do You Keep Chickens Healthy Without Antibiotics?
The answer starts with prevention.
Healthy environments, quality nutrition, proper ventilation, clean housing, biosecurity, and experienced flock management all work together to support healthy birds throughout the growing process.
Our veterinarian, poultry specialists, and independent family farmers continuously monitor flock health every day.
Preventive care—not antibiotics—is the foundation of our No Antibiotics Ever program.
Is No Antibiotics Ever Chicken Safe?
Yes.
All chicken sold in the United States must meet strict USDA food safety regulations.
No Antibiotics Ever describes how chickens are raised, not whether chicken is safe to eat.
Regardless of production method, consumers should always handle raw chicken safely by refrigerating promptly, preventing cross-contamination, and cooking chicken to the proper internal temperature.
👉 Related Safe Chicken Cooking Reading:
Chicken Internal Temperature Chart
How Long Does Chicken Last in the Fridge?
How to Defrost Chicken Safely?
Are There Antibiotics in the Chicken I Buy?
This is one of today's most common consumer questions.
Springer Mountain Farms chickens are never given antibiotics during their lifetime.
Additionally, USDA regulations prohibit poultry containing any detectable antibiotic residues from entering the food supply. All poultry sold in U.S. grocery stores is subject to federal oversight designed to help ensure food safety.
No Antibiotics Ever vs. Other Chicken Labels
Chicken labels can be confusing. Here's what some of the most common claims mean.
No Antibiotics Ever
Chickens never receive antibiotics during their lifetime.
Raised Without Antibiotics
Generally communicates the same concept as No Antibiotics Ever, although wording may vary by brand.
Organic
Organic chicken must meet USDA organic production standards, including requirements for organic feed and animal care. Organic meat sold to consumers is produced without antibiotics.
Natural
The USDA "natural" claim refers to minimal processing and no artificial ingredients. It does not describe how chickens were raised or whether antibiotics were used.
No Antibiotics vs. Other Chicken Labels ; *The USDA "all natural" claim does not indicate whether antibiotics were used.
Learn more about how the USDA evaluates and substantiates animal-raising claims. FSIS Guideline on Substantiating Animal-Raising
Common Misconceptions About No Antibiotics Ever Chicken
Myth: Chickens raised without antibiotics never get sick.
Fact: They sometimes do. If treatment is necessary, chickens receive antibiotics but are removed from the Springer Mountain Farms program.
Myth: Natural chicken means no antibiotics.
Fact: "Natural" refers to processing—not antibiotic use.
Myth: No Antibiotics Ever chicken is safer than other chicken.
Fact: All chicken sold in the United States must meet strict food safety standards. No Antibiotics Ever refers to how chickens are raised.
Myth: Organic and No Antibiotics Ever mean exactly the same thing.
Fact: Organic includes many additional production requirements beyond antibiotics, including certified organic feed. No Antibiotics Ever specifically focuses on raising chickens without antibiotics.
Myth: No Antibiotics Ever means hormone-free.
Fact: All chicken sold in the United States is hormone-free because federal regulations prohibit the use of added hormones in poultry production.
Why Consumers Choose Springer Mountain Farms
Consumers choose Springer Mountain Farms for more than our No Antibiotics Ever commitment.
They choose us because we believe quality starts on the farm.
Our chickens are:
- Raised with No Antibiotics Ever
- American Humane Certified™
- Raised by independent family farmers
- Fed an all-vegetarian diet with no animal by-products ever
- Raised according to rigorous animal care standards
For nearly 30 years, we've remained committed to responsible farming, animal welfare, and producing Simply Superior Chicken™ families can feel good about serving. Find Springer Mountain Farms Chicken Near You or order online from Feed the Party.
Why Trust Springer Mountain Farms?
For nearly 30 years, Springer Mountain Farms has been a leader in raising chickens with No Antibiotics Ever. Working alongside independent family farmers and backed by rigorous animal care standards, we've built our reputation on transparency, responsible farming, and quality.
Whether you're looking for chicken raised without antibiotics, learning more about food labels, or simply wanting to make informed choices for your family, we're proud to provide chicken you can trust.
