About Our Heritage Broiler Chickens

 

We raise our broilers using the “Label Rouge” French standards. This means they are fed non-GMO feeds and whole grain organic oats, given plenty of space in the chicken coop, are raised in small flock sizes (compared to 2000 in commercial poultry houses), and have access to free range organic pasture with trees, bugs and sunshine.

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Since our Freedom Ranger Broilers are a slower growing breed, they are naturally better suited to the higher welfare and all natural rearing system. Label Rouge began 40 years ago as a grassroots movement led by visionary farmers in France . As poultry became more industrialized after World War II, demand grew in France for the taste of traditionally raised farm chickens. The main reason for the superior taste is considered to be the use of slow-growing birds instead of the fast-growing birds used in the conventional industry. The slow-growing birds are from specialty “rustic” genetic stock. The meat is flavorful and firm, but not tough. These birds have a more elongated body than traditionally raised commercial broilers with standard size breast meat.

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·Pasture raised chicken is an excellent source of complete, high quality protein, up to 50% of recommended daily allowance. It is higher in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and vitamin A. Pasture raised chicken is 21% lower in body fat and 30% less saturated fat.

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Our pastured chicken is raised on open pasture with fresh air and freedom to roam which is the chickens natural environment. We supplement with Non-GMO ground mash, organic oats and use NO antibiotics. (GMO feeds contain formaldehyde from GMO grain and is the factory farm standard, often with arsenic added to promote feeding and antibiotics added to ensure fast growth).

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