We are only raising a limited number of these free-range broilers, so make sure you get yours reserved today!

CSA Shares:

Shares Sold Out For Season

Available for Individual Order Only

Free-Range Chickens

The Problem With Average Grocery Store Chicken

Chickens are one of the most abused production animals in our conventional food system. Unfortunately there are very few farms raising chickens using humane and natural methods. 

Conventionally, meat chickens are raised in large confinement warehouses where chickens never see the light of day (as pictured). The high stress and crowded conditions promote disease which is remedied with heavy doses of antibiotics. The chickens are raised from hatching to slaughter in as little as 5 to 6 weeks. The extremely high growth rate results in crippled chickens that never can stand and a high mortality caused by heart attacks.

Chickens are processed under inspected, but still questionably unsanitary conditions. The carcasses are often injected or allowed to absorb up to 15% of their weight in a saline broth intended to add moisture and flavor to an otherwise unnaturally dry and tasteless meat.

This entire process is kept as an industry secret. The rare instance of footage captured from this system is usually from hidden cameras. A seemingly inexpensive chicken at the grocery store actually carries a high hidden cost.

How We Raise our Chickens at Appenzell Farm

We believe that all animals should be treated with respect, even if their final destination is on the dinner plate. This basic respect means that a chicken ought to live a decent and comfortable life. From the time they are chicks to raising them to maturity we treat them with care and concern.

We have adopted a pastured approach which we are continuing to improve. This approach allows for the chickens

to bask in the sun, scratch for seeds and bugs, and forage for plants, all while remaining safe from the weather and predators. The chickens are rotated on paddocks of grass allowing them to stay clean, fertilize the ground, and have a continually growing salad bar of grasses available for their consumption.

We process the chickens at our farm which allows us to control the entire process, from chick to the packaged chicken. The end result is a chicken much more full of flavor, moist, and with a more firm texture.

We raise both conventional white “Cornish Cross” broilers and “Freedom Ranger” broilers.

How to Reserve and Buy

Broilers are raised seasonally through the summer months as they live outside on pasture. Whole chickens are available fresh throughout the season the day we process them. Customers which purchase a CSA share receive first priority, as well as customers that pre-order. Quantities are always very limited, however remaining chickens that are not pre-ordered are occasionally available at the farm or the Cache Valley Gardener’s Market.

CSA Poultry Share

Save money and help support our efforts with our CSA Poultry full and half share. Purchasing a CSA share allows you to purchase upfront and guarantee a season’s supply of fresh chicken. CSA orders can be picked up fresh once a month, or frozen at any other time during our business hours. CSA orders are generally picked up monthly. Full shares will receive 4 whole chickens each month, and half shares receive 2 chickens each month.

CSA Shares Sold Out for Season. Available only for as individual orders.

Individual Orders

If you don’t know how many you’d like or prefer not to pay up front, broilers can also be purchase individually. A $5 deposit per chicken is required to reserve your order and the remaining $3.96/lb can be paid cash, check, or card at pickup.

Note: Chickens are raised in batches and are available fresh monthly after processing, or frozen any time thereafter.

Please select the month you wish to receive your order and click “Add to Cart”. Multiple months can be added, quantities can be adjusted in your shopping cart.

Sold Out For 2011

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The Difference:

1. ■Other than first 3-4 weeks in a more protected brooding house, birds spend entire lives on fresh, rotated pasture.
   

2. ■No hormones or growth stimulants
   

3. ■Fed an all-grain diet with no animal by-products
   

4. ■Additional diet provided by fresh grasses.
   

5. ■Waste from chickens renews the land.
   

6. ■Processed on farm
   

The Principles of Responsible Chicken

Chickens must be given ample room.

Plenty of sunlight.

Clean living area.

No debeaking or other unnecessary trauma.

Must have the ability to scratch around in the dirt, spread their wings, and otherwise express their chickenness.

Minimal transportation costs and use of fuel.

Quick and humane processing.

Limited Offer

Last year our heritage Thanksgiving turkey pre-orders sold out in June. We are again raising a limited number of free-range heritage turkeys ready for Thanksgiving. They are selling quickly so order soon!