Organic Pasture Raised Chicken...What's the Big Deal?

Now days we are faced with so many choices when it comes to our chicken. Do we purchase the organic chicken, the free range chicken, or the "natural" chicken. It can be overwhelming. And with food prices soaring higher, do we opt for the cheapest choice?

Are you confused with all the choices? Don't stress, we were too. So we decided to do some research. Walter and I were not getting any younger and we had a few health concerns that arose. It was time to take our health more serious. (that's for another blog post)

Here is what we learned.....

Organic chicken (or foods in general) are grown and processed differently than your agricultural products. Free range chickens are allowed to graze on grass. Just because a food product states organic does not mean that it's free range.

Sweet Briar Farm raises organic, free range chickens. They are fed organic, non GMO feed, provided fresh pasture to move around freely and plenty of sunshine and fresh air. Their feed has had no synthetic pesticides or herbicides. Our chickens are never given antibiotics or growth hormones. They grow bigger and are raised more humanely.

But why does all of that matter?

Researchers have found that commercial chicken feed, and therefore the chicken meat, may be the cause of the development of polycystic ovary syndrome in females due to the steroid hormonal imbalance.

A scientific study published in 2017 looked at the effects of feeding commercial chicken feed. They took organic chicken meat and conventional chicken meat and fed to various animal subjects. To evaluate the effects it had on those eating it, they took measurements of growth, and gathered data on their cholesterol, progesterone, testosterone and estrogen levels.

What did they find? That consuming commercial fed chickens resulted in hormonal disruptions in all of the subjects tested.

Did you know that commercial chicken farmers give their chickens feed that contain antibiotics?

We also learned that salmonella, campylobacter, staphylococcus and enterococcus are commonly found in commercially raised chickens. They are crammed into tight fitting areas and not allowed to free range on fresh grass and clean air. The indoor confinement almost makes the chickens more prone to sickness.

Commercially raised chickens are processed in chlorine! (We use fresh water).

What are the benefits of pasture raised, organic chicken meat?

It's better for our environment. Large industrial chicken farms contribute to major water quality issues. (that's a whole hot topic)

Our chickens live a happier life. They are given plenty of time on pasture, they have room to walk around in their chicken tractors, and have access to quality food and fresh water. It's simply more humane.

Pasture raised chickens also contain 50% more Vitamin A compared to commercial raised chickens. Vitamin A plays an important role in vision, cell division and a strong immune system.

Also, a study published in 2008, discovered that pasture raised chickens have significantly higher amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids than those chickens who are not permitted fresh grass.

Pasture raised chickens also contain more Vitamin E-which contributes to our reproduction system and the health of our blood, brain and skin.

And by purchasing farm raised, organic chickens you are supporting your local farmer.

While I realize that pasture raised chickens are more costly than those raised commercially, the overall health benefits and the delicious taste are worth the money!