With poultry, it's all about genetics! Genetics are rarely valued by the "cage free," "pastured," and "organic" poultry providers
today. We believe good poultry starts with good genetics. Good genetics and the term "Heritage Poultry" go hand in hand. Since the
early 1940's, companies have genetically engineered the American meat bird known as the Cornish Cross. These birds have been selectively bred over the past 50 to 60 years to achieve a singular outcome: the fastest growth possible. For the mass poultry industry, this was and is the most important genetic trait of the modern meat bird. Fast growth. Why? Faster growth meant less feed and less days until processing, this combination adds up to higher profits.
Along with fast growth comes a plethora of health problems. Cornish Cross and birds like it live short, unhealthy, and inhumane lives. They are processed as little as 37 days into life. In many cases if they make it past 45 days they would die from a heart attack or other health related issues because their internal organs would fail to keep up with their rapid growth rate. They are destined for a life of sitting and eating with multiple broken bones. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, most supermarket birds are vaccinated for immune deficiency diseases. This is another sign that these birds are not functioning as a chicken should.
A Heritage Chicken is the exact opposite of the description above. It is characterized by at least five key principles.
1. It is a breed of chicken that is recognized by the Standard of Perfection which is the official handbook of all standard bred poultry published by the American Poultry Association. The Standard has been published since the late 1800's.
2. Heritage chickens are naturally self reproducing versus the store bought chicken that is not. The right to reproduce Cornish Cross and other birds like it
are owned by companies that monopolize the genetics of the bird.
3. Heritage chickens are capable of living a long outdoor life span. Genetically a Heritage breed chicken is capable of living on pasture
and thriving for many years in most climates.
4. Heritage chickens have a slow growth rate. Typically a Heritage breed chicken will take a minimum of 16 weeks to grow to a processing weight of 4 pounds. The modern meat chicken takes 37 days (or nine weeks).
Nutritionally and ethically heritage birds are far superior to the Cornish Cross and its offshoots. Studies show Heritage Chicken has
less bad fat and more protein, along with appropriate OMEGA 3 to 6 values. It should not be surprising that the Cornish Cross lacks almost all nutritional value that a chicken should have.
To find out more visit the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
today. We believe good poultry starts with good genetics. Good genetics and the term "Heritage Poultry" go hand in hand. Since the
early 1940's, companies have genetically engineered the American meat bird known as the Cornish Cross. These birds have been selectively bred over the past 50 to 60 years to achieve a singular outcome: the fastest growth possible. For the mass poultry industry, this was and is the most important genetic trait of the modern meat bird. Fast growth. Why? Faster growth meant less feed and less days until processing, this combination adds up to higher profits.
Along with fast growth comes a plethora of health problems. Cornish Cross and birds like it live short, unhealthy, and inhumane lives. They are processed as little as 37 days into life. In many cases if they make it past 45 days they would die from a heart attack or other health related issues because their internal organs would fail to keep up with their rapid growth rate. They are destined for a life of sitting and eating with multiple broken bones. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, most supermarket birds are vaccinated for immune deficiency diseases. This is another sign that these birds are not functioning as a chicken should.
A Heritage Chicken is the exact opposite of the description above. It is characterized by at least five key principles.
1. It is a breed of chicken that is recognized by the Standard of Perfection which is the official handbook of all standard bred poultry published by the American Poultry Association. The Standard has been published since the late 1800's.
2. Heritage chickens are naturally self reproducing versus the store bought chicken that is not. The right to reproduce Cornish Cross and other birds like it
are owned by companies that monopolize the genetics of the bird.
3. Heritage chickens are capable of living a long outdoor life span. Genetically a Heritage breed chicken is capable of living on pasture
and thriving for many years in most climates.
4. Heritage chickens have a slow growth rate. Typically a Heritage breed chicken will take a minimum of 16 weeks to grow to a processing weight of 4 pounds. The modern meat chicken takes 37 days (or nine weeks).
Nutritionally and ethically heritage birds are far superior to the Cornish Cross and its offshoots. Studies show Heritage Chicken has
less bad fat and more protein, along with appropriate OMEGA 3 to 6 values. It should not be surprising that the Cornish Cross lacks almost all nutritional value that a chicken should have.
To find out more visit the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
http://albc-usa.org/
Our Chickens
Our chickens are pasture raised without the use of antibiotics, soy, or GMO. They are Heritage breed slow growth, cage free, and delicious.
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