Animal Welfare on Our Farms

Animal Welfare

Animal welfare at the heart of Valens Farms' values.

Animal Welfare

Our Commitment to Animal Welfare

Animal welfare is at the heart of our daily values and long-term commitments.

We are dedicated to raising our animals with care, providing them with a healthy, balanced diet tailored to their specific needs, and ensuring they live in environments that allow them to express their natural behaviors.

Our commitment extends beyond meeting standards—we strive to continuously promote responsible and sustainable farming practices that respect the well-being of our animals throughout every stage of their lives. By prioritizing animal welfare, we help ensure the quality, integrity, and sustainability of the food we produce.

Our Standards

Excellent Living Conditions

Our laying hens are free to roam throughout the hen house and, whenever weather conditions permit, enjoy access to outdoor pasture.

Our cattle graze on lush pastures during the summer months and are fed a healthy, diverse mix of forages that we harvest throughout the growing season and preserve for winter feeding.

We carefully select different grass and forage blends to meet the nutritional needs of our animals at each stage of their lives on the farm.

Our animals never receive growth-promoting hormones or antibiotics. To ensure the highest organic standards are maintained, our farms are certified and regularly inspected by Ecocert or Pro-Cert, verifying that all organic protocols are strictly followed and respected.

Quebec Law

The 5 Fundamental Freedoms of Animal Welfare

Quebec's Animal Welfare and Safety Act (2015) guarantees compliance with strict rules for animals, from their daily care (nutrition, habitat) to their safety (transportation, veterinary care) throughout their lives. In order to guarantee animal welfare and meet their natural biological needs as closely as possible, 5 criteria must be respected (according to UPA du Québec):

Absence of hunger, thirst and malnutrition

The animal must have unlimited access to water for drinking, and be fed in sufficient quantity to meet its daily nutritional requirements. The quality of their diet is also a determining factor in the animal's good health.

Absence of fear and distress

If the animal is moved, it must be transported in a suitable vehicle (ventilation, space, safety) in accordance with the requirements of the 1990 Health of Animals Act. The Meat Inspection Act (1985) also lays down strict rules concerning slaughter (stress, procedure).

Absence of physical and thermal stress

The habitat must be clean, well-lit, protected from heat or cold, and large enough to allow the animal to move around freely.

Absence of pain, injury and disease

The animal must be able to receive appropriate veterinary care in the event of injury or suffering. Animals must not be mistreated: cruelty falls under the Criminal Code established by the Federal Law of the Land.

Freedom to express normal species behavior

All animals must be able to react according to their instincts, as easily as possible. Habitat, nutrition, relationships with humans — everything must be designed to best match the animal's primary behavior.