We know it's confusing. All the packages in the grocery stating, "free-range" or "naturally raised." With very little in the way of government regulations over what exactly these terms mean, chicken-eating Americans can easily be confused.

Here's the scoop on the chickens raised on our Peculiar, MO farm. We consider the way we raise chickens to be truly free-range or pastured. The chickens freely roam across 3 acres at the back of our Cass County farm. They scratch for insects and eat whatever vegetation they please. They have access to clean, fresh water at all times and are supplemented with grain in feeders when the foraging conditions aren't optimal (usually through the winter). They also get "treats" of vegetable and fruit scraps. In short, they're happy chickens!

Our chickens have a large coop to protect them from predators and inclement weather. The floor of the coop receives new layers of fresh bedding frequently, which helps compost the droppings. This continues through the winter when the layers of compost serve as a natural added heat source during the coldest parts of the year. In the early spring, the coop is completely cleared out and sanitized and the composting process starts over. It is again cleaned and sanitized in the fall to prepare for the winter months. The composted material is moved to our composting area to be used as natural fertilizer for our crops.

We try not to lock the chickens in the coop area; however, we've been forced to do so at night on a number of occasions to protect them from predators or extremely harsh weather.

So what does this mean to you? First you have the knowledge you're buying chicken that has led a life in natural, stress-free surroundings, and not in a warehouse with thousands of other chickens where the only access they have to the outside (if any) is usually used only by those that can actually get to it. You also know you're eating chicken that has never been given any antibiotics whatsoever. Our chicken are grown slowly and naturally without steroids to rush them to maturity.

As for taste, you'll be surprised at the taste difference between our chicken and any store-bought chicken (even if it's labled free-range). This is because of simple anatomy. The more movement of a muscle, the stronger it gets. This imparts more flavor. You'll notice more flavor in our chicken because our birds aren't sedentary. Plus, the meat from birds fed these natural diets are leaner with fewer calories and more omega-3 fatty acids. What more could you ask for?

Contact us to order your free-range chicken for local delivery or pick up at Farmers Market. Check our Local Orders page for what's currently available.