When people ask what makes our chicken different, the pasture is the first answer and the second is this. Our meat birds are unvaccinated and raised without routine pharmaceuticals.
Why large operations vaccinate
Commercial poultry houses run tens of thousands of birds in one airspace. At that density, one pathogen moves through the whole flock fast, so routine vaccination and medicated feed are standard risk management. It is a rational response to a system built around density.
Why we do not need to
We do not run that system. Our batches are small, the birds live outdoors on grass, and they move to clean ground regularly. Sunlight, airflow, low density, and fresh pasture do most of the work that a vaccination program does in a barn.
Specifically:
What unvaccinated does not mean
It does not mean neglected. We watch the flock daily and we would treat a sick animal if one needed it, because letting an animal suffer is not a principle worth defending. It means we do not medicate routinely as a substitute for good management.
It also does not mean the birds skip inspection. Our chickens are processed at a licensed facility and frozen immediately upon processing.
Why customers ask
Most people asking this question want to know what is in their food and how the animal lived. That is a fair question and we would rather answer it plainly than hide behind a label.
The Grey Broiler advantage
Our Grey Broilers are a slower growing bird than the standard commercial cross. Slower growth means stronger legs, better foraging, and a bird that handles pasture life well. Health management gets easier when the genetics match the system.
Try one
Whole, frozen, pasture-raised, unvaccinated chicken is available by preorder on the chicken pre-sale page. Pickup is at the farm in Conway, coordinated by text.
