Why Pasture Raised Chicken

Health Benefits of Chicken

Good source of protein
Cancer-protective nutrients – niacin. Niacin deficiency can lead to DNA damage, cognitive decline
High in selenium- thyroid function, immune function, lowers cancer risk
Good source of Vitamin B6 – lack of B6 leads to higher homocysteine levels (increasing risk of heart disease)

Why Pastured Chicken?

Fewer toxins
Fed without pesticides, antibiotics, and animal by-products
Better living conditions
Less susceptible to disease
Conventional chicken contains arsenic!
Conventional chicken subject to bleaching and water incubation
Pastured chickens eat a natural diet including grass, seeds, and insects, results in chicken with lower fat levels, more vitamin A, and increased omega-3 fatty acids. Conventional chickens are fed grains, animal by-products, and even arsenic
Conventional chicken creates drug-resistant bacteria (meningitis, salmonella)

What about labels?

Conventional – Typically less than half a square foot of space per hen where they are not even able to spread their wings.
Cage Free –Hens are able to move around inside a hen house without being confined to cages. While this is a bit better, it is common for the tips of the beaks to be clipped or burned to prevent pecking at themselves and others (so many hens in a small space = distress)
Free Range – Can be deceiving because this is not a regulated term. All that is required is a door that gives “access” to an outdoor area but unfortunately, the hens never go outside.
Organic – This means the hens were fed organic feed (no pesticides) that contains no by-products.
Vegetarian – The hen is fed a vegetarian feed, often containing soy. While this sounds like it is good thing, chickens are actually omnivores, not vegetarians, and will naturally eat bugs, grubs, etc. This term is used to imply “healthier” but is not the case.

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