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Sources of Organic Chicken

Organic chicken is chicken that has been fed and raised in a manner in accordance with the United Stated Department of Agriculture's guidelines for organic poultry products. In order to meet these guidelines, farmers must feed chickens organic foods free of growth hormones, antibiotics or any other synthetic supplement. Sources of organic chicken vary depending on your geographic location; however, there are several options for finding organic products locally and online.

  1. Local Sources

    • Along with grocery stores who carry organic poultry in their meat section, local sources of organic chicken include farmers' markets and local farmers. Farmers' markets such as Grow NYC provide a listing of organic farmers that are in or supply the NYC area and surrounding areas with organic meats and vegetables. Local farmers can be found by contacting your local feed store for a list of farmers in your area that sell organic goods.

    Online

    • There are several online sources for organic chicken and poultry products such as butcheries and heath food supply stores that will ship frozen products throughout the United States. Sellers of organic poultry and poultry products certify that all products meet USDA organic standards, such as being hormone and antibiotic free from "egg to plate" as well as being free of additives and preservatives.

    Raising Your Own

    • Another source for organic chicken is to raise your own. Raising organic chickens can be just as educational as it is healthy. There are several types of coops that easily accommodate just one or two chickens at a time and many local farmers have chicks for sale during the spring. Unlike commercially raised broilers that are slaughtered at 6 months, organically raised chickens are not broiler ready until 8 months old, which produces a leaner chicken with better flavor. Organic feeds free of hormones and additives can be purchased online, from your local farm supply store and from some pet food supply stores.

    Considerations

    • Not all "free range" or "naturally raised" poultry and poultry products meet USDA guidelines for "organic" raised chickens. Free range, naturally raised or cage-free chickens do not have to meet the USDA organic guidelines because they are not advertising the product as being USDA organic. In these cases, the farmers are not required to feed hormone and additive free feeds or adhere to the standards of natural sunlight and the minimum required space of 1 1/2 feet of space per chicken.

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