Rebel Pastures’ Pasture-Raised Chicken is everything chicken should be—raised outdoors on open pastures, free to forage, scratch, and thrive. 100% VACCINE-FREE and never confined to growing barns, NO ANTIBIOTICS EVER (not needed with healthy animals), their diet is supplemented with high-quality, Non-GMO feed. Rotationally grazed, they help regenerate the land while living their best lives under the sun. This isn’t factory-farmed chicken—it’s clean, flavorful, and raised with care. At Rebel Pastures, we give a damn about quality, and you can taste the difference in every bite.
Pasture raised chicken is becoming an increasingly popular option for ethically and sustainably minded consumers. More people want to know where their food comes from and how it is raised. Pasture raised chickens enjoy a natural diet and can exhibit their natural behaviors outdoors on rotating pastures. This results in chicken that is higher in beneficial nutrients like omega-3s and lower in saturated fats. Many people find pasture raised chicken to have superior taste and texture as well. If you are interested in purchasing pasture raised chicken for your family, here is a complete guide on where to find it.
Understanding Pasture Raised Chicken
Pasture raised chicken refers to chicken that spends its life outdoors on a pasture engaging in natural behaviors and foraging on grasses, bugs, and seeds rather than being confined to a crowded indoor environment. While regulations can vary on the exact standards, typically true pasture raised chicken will
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Spend most of its life on open pastures with at least 108 square feet per bird
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Receive no antibiotics or hormones
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Eat an all-vegetarian diet with no animal by-products
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Enjoy fresh air, sunlight, and ability to exhibit natural behaviors like dustbathing, foraging, and roosting
The gold standard is moving the chickens frequently between rotated paddocks of fresh pasture This gives them continual access to fresh grasses and insects while allowing the paddocks time to recover,
Pasture raising allows the chickens to grow strong, healthy, and slowly. The chicken develop more muscle and fat with a deep, nutty flavor. The omega-3 levels are much higher while saturated fats are lower. You get chicken that both tastes better and is better for you.
Where to Buy Pasture Raised Chicken
You now know what pasture-raised chicken really means. Here are the best places to buy it for your home:
1. Direct from Local Farms
The best place to get chicken that was raised on pasture is from small farms in your area. You can find pasture-raised chicken near you in a few different ways:
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Farmers Markets: Many farms that raise chickens on pasture will sell their eggs at local farmers markets. Find out when your local farmers market is open and go there to talk to people.
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Farm Stand/Store: Some small farms have a farm stand or store right on the farm where they sell goods. If you search for “pasture raised chicken near me,” you might find some farms that are close by.
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Online Direct Sales: Many small farms now have the ability to sell chickens online directly to consumers. Use a site like Get Real Chicken that connects consumers to pasture raised farms in their state.
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CSA Boxes: Some farms offer CSA (community supported agriculture) boxes that will include pasture raised chicken periodic deliveries. Ask around to find farms that offer them.
The benefits of purchasing directly from a local farm is you can verify and see exactly how the chickens were raised. You are also supporting local small family farms and the local economy. Often prices are competitive with or cheaper than organic grocery stores.
2. Online Specialty Retailers
If you are not located near any good local sources of pasture raised chicken, the next best option is to order from a specialty sustainable meat retailer online. Two of the most popular options are:
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Seven Sons Family Farms – Offers pasture raised chicken sourced from partner farms across the Midwest and Northeast. $7 flat rate shipping on all orders.
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White Oak Pastures – Family farm that produces their own pasture raised chickens and ships nationwide. Free shipping on orders over $199.
The benefit of these retailers is that they take care to source chickens raised to the highest standards on regenerative farms. The chickens are humanely processed and shipped frozen at peak freshness to your door. While prices are higher than conventional chicken, you are paying for the ethical, sustainable production.
3. Local Specialty Butcher Shops or Co-ops
Many local butcher shops and health food co-ops are now stocking pasture raised chicken from reputable regional farms. Ask at your local butcher shop or co-op if they have any sources for pasture raised chicken. Some even allow you to special order it.
This can be a good option if you don’t live near any direct local farms. The chickens are still typically processed more humanely and sold at peak freshness compared to conventional grocery stores. Just be sure to ask your local retailer detailed questions about how the chickens are raised to be sure it meets your standards.
4. Large Chain Organic Retailers
Lastly, most major natural food chains like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s will carry pasture raised chicken, typically under their store brand. For example, 365 Organic at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s Organic Free Range Chicken.
The chickens at these stores are raised to USDA organic standards, but may not always reflect the true spirit of pasture raised. Some things to watch out for:
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Not all organic chickens marketed as “free range” actually go outdoors. Verify the chickens have real outdoor access.
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Space per bird may be as low as 2 square feet outdoors rather than the preferred 100+ square feet.
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Diets can contain soy, corn, or other grains rather than just foraging on grass and bugs.
Still, large chain organic chicken is a better option than conventional chicken. Just be prepared to pay premium prices ranging $4-6/lb. Weigh your priorities like ethics, taste, and budget to decide if this chicken fits your needs.
How to Choose Your Pasture Raised Chicken
Once you have located a good source for pasture raised chicken, you will need to decide what type of chicken to buy. Here are some things to consider:
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Whole birds or cuts (breasts, thighs etc.): Whole birds are typically cheaper per pound but require more prep. Cuts are more convenient but cost more. Mix it up for variety!
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Mixed boxes or variety packs: A cost-effective way to try different cuts and find your favorites.
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Seasonality: Pasture raised chickens have a natural lifecycle. You may see availability fluctuate seasonally as farmers give their birds and land a rest. Plan accordingly.
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Fresh or frozen: Small farms often sell fresh chickens seasonally then frozen for wider distribution. Frozen retains nearly all quality when thawed properly.
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Organ, bone, and fat: Don’t forget the nutritious organ meats, bones for broth, and fat for cooking! These are signs of using the whole bird.
The beauty of pasture raised chicken is that each farm may offer distinctive breeds, flavors, and cuts. Part of the fun is trying new things to find your favorites!
Is Pasture Raised Chicken Worth It?
At the end of the day, pasture raised chicken costs more than conventional chicken. But many feel the bump in price delivers greater value:
Superior Nutrition: More omega-3s and nutrients from pasture dining and slower growth.
Better Ethics: Chickens get to live natural, happy lives. Cruel confinement practices are avoided.
Better for Environment: Pastures sequester carbon and regenerate land. Waste is recycled.
Superior Taste/Texture: Moving muscles and diverse diet leads to firm, flavorful meat.
Food Safety: No antibiotics or chemicals used that can threaten human health.
Supports Small Farms: Keeps family farmers thriving and rural communities strong.
Only you can decide if paying a premium for pasture raised chicken fits your budget and values. Try it for yourself and see if the advantages are worth the price for your household. Many families find the benefits compelling enough to cut back spending in other areas or treat chicken more as a delicacy.
Fortunately, the rising demand for pasture raised chicken makes it more accessible every year. Use this guide to seek out the best sources near you and incorporate it as often as you can afford. Your body and the planet will thank you!
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Rebel Pastures’ Pasture-Raised Chicken is everything chicken should be—raised outdoors on open pastures, free to forage, scratch, and thrive. 2010%%20NO%20ANTIBIOTICS%20EVER%20(not%20needed%20with%20healthy%20animals),%20and%20never%20confined%20to%20growing%20barns. Their diet is supplemented with%20high-quality,%20GMO%20feed. Rotationally grazed, they help regenerate the land while living their best lives under the sun. This isn’t factory-farmed chicken—it’s clean, flavorful, and raised with care. At Rebel Pastures, we give a damn about quality, and you can taste the difference in every bite.
We offer local pickup and nationwide shipping from our Michigan farm.
Pastured Chicken – Where to Buy
FAQ
Is pasture raised chicken healthy?
Our pasture raised chicken is nutritionally superior to the meat from conventional birds. Healthy and active on fresh non-GMO pasture, these birds are naturally plump and have a vastly superior impact on land, nutrition, and flavor.
What is pasture raised chicken?
Pasture Raised Chicken goes beyond free range and organic. Our pasture raised chickens live outside 24/7 with no antibiotics or drugs. Instead, we move our pasture-raised chickens to new grass every day so they can scratch and peck for bugs, worms, grasses, and seeds.
Where are Grass Roots’ pasture-raised chickens raised?
100% of Grass Roots’ pasture-raised chickens are born, raised and harvested in the USA. Healthy and active on fresh non-GMO pasture, these birds are naturally plump and vastly superior in land impact, nutrition, and flavor.
How are the free range pastured chickens raised?
Our free range pastured chickens are raised outdoors – scratching and pecking on fresh pasture daily. The quality of life of our animals is just as important as the quality of meat they provide, which is why they’re never treated with growth hormones or antibiotics.
Are poultry products low-lectin & paste-raised?
All poultry products sold on this site are Low-Lectin & Pasture-Raised. A small family farm specializing in Pasture-Raised Chickens fed a Lectin-Free Organic diet. Introducing the world’s first chicken raised on a Plant Paradox friendly diet. Yes, you can finally eat chicken again! Corn-Free, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, & more.
Why is pasturebird chicken better than traditional chicken?
Pastured poultry regenerates pasture, builds soil and gives back to the land. A varied diet of bugs, grass, legumes, and grains contributes to the health, taste, and nutrition of the final product. Pasturebird chicken has higher vitamin, mineral and fatty acid content than traditional chicken, and is always non-GMO and antibiotic-free.
How to find pasture-raised chicken?
To find pasture-raised chicken, start by searching online for local farms or farmers’ markets that sell poultry. You can also explore online directories like EatWild. com or Get Real Chicken.
Does Whole Foods sell pasture raised chickens?
Whole Foods Market , Pasture Raised Whole Chicken, 16 Ounce. FREE grocery delivery is available to Prime members.
How to know if chicken is pasture-raised?
For the most part, “free range” means that the hens are not kept in cages but instead roam the barn and eat food. Pasture-raised, which is not a term that is currently regulated by the USDA, means that the hens spend most of the day outside, on pasture. They go in the barn at nightfall.
Is pasture-raised chicken better for you?
Pasture-raised chicken meat tends to be higher in iron, higher in Omega 3, have a lower Omega 6:3 ratio, and be higher in antioxidants (Vitamin E, for example).