3 things you need to know before eating pasture raised chicken

I grew up being taught that crowded chicken barns were normal.

I studied Agriculture Business at the University of Guelph, and it was all about commercial farming operations, how that’s the only way to feed a growing population. 

After all, we all have to eat right? But it didn’t quite sit right…

If chickens crowded in a barn doesn’t sit right with you either, then perhaps you should consider pasture raised chicken. 

But first, here are 5 things you need to know before eating pasture raised chicken.

1.     Better for the bird

The reality of crowded barns is the truth – they are crowded. There have been instances where the barn fans were accidentally turned off, or when the temperatures outside were really hot – and all the chickens died or had so badly damaged lungs that they had to be euthanized. That’s not natural.

Our birds are raised outdoors in shelters that feature natural light and ventilation.

2.     Better for you

Pasture raised chicken meat tends to be higher in iron, Omega 3, and antioxidants such as Vitamin E. They also have a lower Omega 6:3 ratio. You’ll notice that the fat on pasture raised chickens is yellow compared to barn chickens.

Do you know why? Because pasture raised chickens eat more than just processed soy and corn. Our chickens get a premium feed blend that has no soy or GMOs, and they also peck at bugs and grass in the pasture.

3.     Better flavor

I hear this all the time…

“Your chicken isn’t just mush!”, “Oh it’s so tasty”, “It has less water and is still so juicy”.

And that’s a direct result of their diet and life out on the pasture.
 

So, now that you know a bit more about pasture raised chicken, you might feel the same I did, which drove me to raising our own chickens on pasture instead of buying chicken from the grocery store. 

If so, we have a good variety of chicken products:

  • Breasts (skin on)
  • Thighs (bone in, skin on)
  • Drumsticks
  • Wings
  • Chicken Liver
  • Chicken pepperette snack sticks (coming soon!)

Check it out on our online store!

Or come to our farm store, which is is open every Saturday from 10-3, or during the week by appointment.