The Complete Guide to Pasture Raised Chicken
Updated: 4 days ago
Pasture raised chicken comes from birds that spend meaningful time outdoors, on real pasture. On land covered in grass and other plants, a chicken can do what chickens want to do: scratch, forage, chase bugs, dust-bathe, and run in the fresh air.
But the supermarket meat case doesn't make that easy to find. Packages are stacked with labels (Pasture Raised, Free Range, Organic, Natural, No Antibiotics Ever, and so many more), often at very different prices. Most of these labels say nothing about whether the chicken ever set foot outside. This guide walks through what pasture raised is all about – what each label means, which certifications we look for, why the breed of the bird matters just as much as where it lived, and where to buy chicken that actually spent time outside.
Here's everything you need to know.
Key Takeaways
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What Does Pasture Raised Chicken Mean?
Here are the major claims you'll see on chicken packaging, and what each one actually tells you about how the bird lived.
Pasture Raised. For chicken labeled “Pasture Raised,” producers submit documentation to the USDA FSIS supporting how the birds were raised. Current USDA guidance specifies that animals were raised on pasture (land covered in rooted vegetation like grass and other plants) for the majority of their lives. This is the most important label we look for.
Free Range. "Free Range" sounds a lot like "Pasture Raised," but there's an important difference. For products labeled ‘Free Range,’ the producer has demonstrated to the USDA that the birds had access to the outdoors. But the USDA does not set a universal minimum for how much outdoor space birds receive, they do not require that the outdoor area be pasture, or guarantee that the birds actually spend any time outside. A Free Range bird can live in a large barn with a small door to a concrete yard it may never use.
Organic. The "Organic" label is regulated by the USDA and requires that chickens are fed 100% organic feed, are not given antibiotics, and have year-round access to the outdoors, with some restrictions allowed. Under new organic standards that are currently being phased in, broiler chickens must receive at least one square foot of outdoor space for every five pounds of live bird weight, at least 75% of the outdoor area must be soil, and that soil area must include appropriate vegetative cover. Existing certified Organic broiler operations have until January 2, 2029 to meet these new requirements, but even under the new standards, Organic does not require that birds spend the majority of their lives on pasture.
Natural. “Natural” sounds like it might describe how a chicken or turkey was raised, but it doesn’t. Under USDA rules, “Natural” refers to the meat itself: it means the product contains no artificial ingredients or added color and is only minimally processed. The claim says nothing about whether the bird had outdoor access, lived on pasture, or was raised under higher-welfare conditions. Almost all raw chicken qualifies as Natural.
Cage Free. “Cage Free” is primarily an egg-labeling term, but you may also see it on packages of chicken. For chicken raised for meat, the claim is much less meaningful than it is for eggs, because chickens raised for meat are generally not kept in cages in the first place. A Cage Free claim tells you nothing about whether the birds had any outdoor access at all.
Other common claims. “No Antibiotics Ever” means what it says, but says nothing about living conditions. “No Added Hormones” is federally prohibited in poultry, so every chicken qualifies. “Vegetarian Fed” describes the feed, not the housing, and tells you nothing about whether the bird had outdoor access. “Air Chilled” is a processing method. “Humanely Raised” and “Responsibly Raised” are not standardized welfare terms, so the words alone don't tell you what specific living standards the producer upholds, or whether the bird went outside.
For the full deep dive on every chicken label, see our article → Pasture Raised Chicken, Free Range, and Organic: What’s the Difference?
How to Tell If Your Chicken Is Really Pasture Raised
With chicken, poultry producers submit documentation to the USDA FSIS supporting that the birds were pasture raised. The leading third-party certifications add additional welfare requirements on top of that. Here are the indicators we look for.
"Pasture Raised" on the label. Chicken labeled Pasture Raised has gone through the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) review, and the producer has submitted documentation supporting the pasture-raised claim. It's a paperwork review rather than an on-farm audit but it's a meaningful, important starting point.
G.A.P.® Step 4 or above. Global Animal Partnership's (G.A.P.®) tiered program provides strong protections for broiler (meat) birds. Step 4 is G.A.P.'s "Pasture Raised" tier: birds must spend more than half of their lives on pasture, on land that's more than 50% covered with living vegetation. G.A.P.® standards also set requirements for daily outdoor access, which they specify as needing to be available during all daylight hours. G.A.P.® also requires that producers use an approved, slower-growing breed.
Certified Humane® Pasture Raised. Certified Humane® defines Pasture Raised as a system where birds must spend more than half of their lives on pasture, on land that's more than 50% covered with living vegetation. Its standards also set requirements for daily outdoor access, which they specify as needing to be available 6 hours per day, minimum. Importantly, Certified Humane® Pasture Raised does not require a slower-growing breed. Also significant: the base Certified Humane® shield alone does not require outdoor access; you need to see "Certified Humane® Pasture Raised" on the package.
The takeaway: Start with Pasture Raised on the package. For an additional layer of assurance, look for an independent certification. G.A.P.® Step 4+ is our preferred standard for chicken because it combines meaningful pasture access with an approved slower-growing breed. Certified Humane® Pasture Raised is also a strong pasture standard, but it does not require a slower-growing breed.
Why Breed Matters: Conventional vs. Slower-Growing vs. Heritage
This is where chicken differs the most from eggs. With eggs, the primary, most important question is how the hen lived. With chicken, there's a second question that's just as important: what kind of bird was it? That's because most chicken sold in the U.S. comes from birds bred to grow extremely quickly, and that rapid growth has significant consequences for their welfare.
Conventional broilers are the vast majority of chicken sold in the United States – roughly nine billion birds a year. These breeds have been genetically selected over decades to reach market weight as fast as possible. Today's conventional U.S. broiler reaches an average of approx. 6 pounds in 47 days. In 1975, the average chicken was about 3.8 pounds at 56 days. Decades of selective breeding have produced a bird that grows substantially larger, substantially faster.
The welfare problems as a result of that rapid growth rate are severe. The birds' skeletons and organs can't keep pace with how fast their muscles grow. Lameness and leg disorders are widespread; in one study, 90% of conventional chickens were found to have a detectable gait abnormality. Heart failure is common because the birds' hearts and lungs can't supply enough oxygen for that much muscle. The European Commission's scientific committee concluded that most welfare problems specific to broiler production are a direct result of selecting for faster growth.
Pasture access can only have so much impact on welfare if a bird’s body is designed for unnatural growth, which is why we look at breed alongside outdoor access when evaluating chicken.
Slower-growing breeds are a better approach to balancing chicken welfare with scalable agriculture. They're still commercially developed birds, but they've been selected to put on weight more gradually than conventional broilers. In one study, slower-growing birds reached about 6 pounds at 62 days, compared with 45 days for conventional birds. The welfare improvements for a slower-growing breeds are substantial: significantly lower rates of lameness, better leg health, lower mortality, fewer muscle quality problems, and visibly different behavior. These birds spend less time sitting and more time standing, walking, foraging, preening, dust-bathing, and perching. The Welfare Footprint Institute found substantially lower estimated pain burdens for slower-growing birds, including about a two-thirds reduction in time spent in “Disabling pain”.
Heritage breeds are the far end of the spectrum. The Livestock Conservancy defines a heritage chicken as an American Poultry Association standard breed established before the mid-20th century, naturally mating, and slow growing, reaching market weight in more than 16 weeks, more than twice as long as a conventional broiler. Their much slower growth avoids many, if not most, of the growth-related welfare problems associated with conventional broilers. They're also expensive to raise, produce less breast meat, and are fairly difficult to find. You'll mostly find true heritage chicken from small online sellers and at farmers markets.
This is why we recommend looking at breed (and for certifications that require slower-growing breeds, see above) as well as pasture-raised language, when evaluating chicken brands.
Where to Buy Pasture Raised Chicken
Grocery stores. Pasture-raised chicken is now available at many major chains, though usually as a single product line rather than a whole section in the meat case. Look for Pasture Raised on the label, ideally with G.A.P.® Step 4+ or Certified Humane® Pasture Raised. Whole birds are the most common format but parts are increasingly available. Our tip: at grocery stores with meat counters, you can ask the butcher to break down a whole chicken into parts, even if you get the whole chicken from the packaged-meat case.
Butchers. A stand-alone butcher shop can be a great place to find pasture-raised chicken. Signs a butcher is worth your trust: they describe themselves as a "whole-animal butcher," they use the words "pasture raised" (not just "local" or "natural"), and they put farm names on their signage. Naming the farm signals traceability, and allows you the opportunity to look up the farm, learn how the birds are raised, and ask more specific questions.
Farmers markets. Many small farms raise birds on pasture without formal certifications, because certification is expensive. At farmers markets, you can talk to the farmer! Good questions to ask include:
How much time do the birds spend outside, and starting at what age?
Are they in movable pens or shelters, and how often are they moved to fresh grass?
What breed do you raise, and how many weeks do you grow them?
A farmer should be able to answer these questions clearly and specifically. You can also buy pasture-raised chicken directly from farms via farm stands, on-farm pickup, and CSA meat shares.
Online and subscription services. Several online delivery services specialize in pasture-raised meat. Walden Meat, White Oak Pastures, and Wild Pastures are among those we recommend, and all of their chicken products are pasture-raised. If you order from ButcherBox, a common online meat subscription service, make sure to select the Pasture Raised Heirloom chicken, which is the only chicken option there that meets our standard.
Want to know exactly what to buy? Our Shopping Guide lists the pasture-raised chicken products we recommend at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Wegmans and more.
The Best Pasture Raised Chicken Brands to Buy in 2026
We recommend chicken products when we can verify to the best of our ability that birds had meaningful access to outdoor pasture. When we’re evaluating brands we look for Pasture Raised language, as well as G.A.P.® Step 4 (our preferred certification), or Certified Humane® Pasture Raised (another good certification, although without the breed requirements that we feel are important), which set specific requirements for outdoor space, pasture, time outside, and independent auditing.
The brands below make the best pasture raised chicken that meet our standard – but not every product from every brand necessarily does, so pay attention to the specific product language.
LaBelle Patrimoine
All LaBelle Patrimoine chicken meat products are pasture raised.
Standard: G.A.P.® Step 4 (Pasture Raised)
What qualifies: Whole Chickens, Chicken Parts, Ground Chicken, Bone Broth
EPR Note: LaBelle Patrimoine uses a slower-growing breed of birds.
Mary's Heirloom Chicken
Only Mary's Heirloom Chicken Heritage brand is pasture raised.
Standard: G.A.P.® Step 4 (Pasture Raised)
What qualifies: Whole Chickens, Chicken Parts
EPR Note: Mary's Heirloom Chicken uses a a slower-growing breed of birds.
Whole Foods Market Pasture Raised Whole Chicken
Only Whole Foods Market Pasture Raised brand is pasture raised.
Standard: G.A.P.® Step 4 (Pasture Raised)
What qualifies: Whole Chickens
EPR Note: Whole Foods Market Pasture Raised Whole Chicken uses a slower-growing breed of birds.
Trader Joe’s Pasture Raised Chicken
Only TJ’s Pasture Raised brand is pasture raised.
Standard: G.A.P.® Step 4 (Pasture Raised)
What qualifies: Whole Chickens, Chicken Parts
EPR Note: Trader Joe’s Pasture Raised Chicken uses a slower-growing breed of birds.
Greener Pastures Chicken
All Greener Pastures chicken is pasture raised.
Standard: Certified Humane® Pasture Raised
What qualifies: Whole Chickens, Chicken Parts
EPR Note: We could not verify the breed of bird used by Greener Pastures Chicken.
Joyce Farms Poulet Rouge
Only Joyce Farms Poulet Rouge brand is pasture raised.
Standard: G.A.P.® Step 4 (Pasture Raised)
What qualifies: Whole Chickens, Chicken Parts
EPR Note: Joyce Farms Poulet Rouge uses a slower-growing breed of birds.
PastureBird
All PastureBird products are pasture raised.
Standard: Pasture Raised
What qualifies: Whole Chickens, Chicken Parts
EPR Note: PastureBird uses fast-growing Cornish Cross broilers rather than a slower-growing breed.
We review these brands and more in our Shopping Guide, with store-by-store availability so you can find them near you.
Is Pasture Raised Chicken More Nutritious?
Yes, but the differences are modest. Pasture-raised birds supplement their feed with grasses, seeds, insects, and worms, and a bird that's moving around all day builds different muscle than one that’s sedentary. Some studies have found that chickens raised on pasture have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and certain antioxidants in their meat, and a leaner profile overall, particularly in slower-growing breeds.
The research base for pasture raised chicken nutrition is small, and the differences that have been measured are incremental. A pasture-raised chicken is not a health food in a way conventional chicken isn't. The primary reason to choose pasture raised chicken is how the bird lived. We feel that if it's also a little better for you, that's a bonus.
Is Pasture Raised Chicken Better for the Environment?
Well-managed pasture systems have a lot going for them in terms of positive environmental impacts. When birds forage, their manure returns nutrients to the soil, and the pasture regrows after the flock moves on. Contrast that with conventional broiler production: tens of thousands of birds in a single enclosed house, all feed trucked in, and enormous volumes of concentrated waste that often leach out into the surrounding area.
Pasture-based production requires more land per bird, and it still relies heavily on purchased feed, since chickens can't live on grass alone. Poorly managed pasture, with too many birds on too little ground, can degrade soil and pollute water just as barns can. And the label alone doesn't guarantee sustainable management – that depends on the farm itself. Our belief is that supporting well-managed pasture-based farms moves agriculture in a better direction, and it's a direction we want to see more of.
Does Pasture Raised Chicken Taste Different?
We think so! Birds that forage and move have more developed muscle, which tends to mean firmer texture and a deeper, more "chicken-y" flavor. Pasture-raised birds also can have proportionally more dark meat and slightly smaller breasts.
Does Pasture Raised Chicken Cost More?
Yes. Pasture-raised costs more because it costs more to produce: more land per bird, more labor per flock, slower-growing breeds that eat more feed over a longer life, active pasture management, and sometimes certification fees. Small processors (slaughterhouses) also cost more per bird than industrial plants.
We think the price is worth it. Pasture-raised food costs more because it costs more to raise animals well. As a consumer, you can choose what agricultural system you want to support. We think paying more for a more humane approach to farming, one that values the animals and the people who work in agriculture, is worth it.
Read more → Why it Matters
What about turkey, duck, and other poultry?
The same pasture-raised framework applies. USDA's Pasture Raised claim review covers all poultry, so a turkey or duck labeled Pasture Raised has been through the same documentation review as chicken. G.A.P.® publishes separate standards for turkeys, and G.A.P.'s step structure works the same way. The Free Range, Organic, Natural, and No Antibiotics claims mean the same thing on a turkey as they mean on a chicken. Breed is also a live issue: conventional broad-breasted white turkeys have growth-related welfare problems similar to conventional broilers, and heritage turkey breeds are a great alternative. Pasture-raised duck is rarer at retail and mostly found through farms and specialty sellers.
FAQ
What does pasture raised mean for chicken?
For chicken labeled “Pasture Raised,” producers submit documentation to the USDA FSIS supporting how the birds were raised. Current USDA guidance specifies that animals were raised on pasture (land covered in rooted vegetation like grass and other plants) for the majority of their lives.
Are pasture raised chickens worth the extra money?
We think so. The price reflects real differences in how the bird lived: more space, real vegetation, and often a healthier breed. Nutrition and flavor may be modestly better, but the main thing you're buying is a better life for the animal.
What's the difference between pasture raised and free range chicken?
Free Range means the producer showed that the birds had some outdoor access, with no minimum space, no requirement for vegetation, and no guarantee the birds actually ever went outside. Pasture Raised means the producer showed that birds spent the majority of their lives on vegetated land.
What's the difference between pasture raised and organic chicken?
Pasture Raised focuses primarily on where and how the bird lived. Organic is a broader standard covering feed, medications and living conditions, including outdoor access, but it does not require birds to spend the majority of their lives outdoors, on pasture.
Is pasture raised chicken actually pasture raised?
Yes, but there are limits to what it guarantees. Poultry producers who are saying that their products are Pasture Raised are reviewed by the USDA FSIS, and must submit documentation supporting them. Current USDA guidance specifies that the birds spent the majority of their lives on vegetated pasture. Because that process is based primarily on documentation rather than routine on-farm USDA inspections, we also recommend certifications that perform on-site inspections of farms throughout the year. There are also other limits: for instance, meat birds can't go outside until they're feathered, and in cold climates outdoor time is seasonal. A bird processed in February in Pennsylvania spent less time on grass than one processed in July.
Is pasture raised chicken healthier?
Some research suggests modestly higher omega-3s and antioxidants, and a leaner profile, but the differences are small. We choose it for the flavor and how the bird lived, not as a health food.
Is pasture raised chicken better for the environment?
Well-managed pasture systems return nutrients to soil and avoid the waste concentration of industrial barns, but they use more land and still depend on purchased feed. A pasture-based system can also be better for surrounding communities and farm workers.
Which chicken brands are actually pasture raised?
See our brand reviews above and our Shopping Guide for where to find them.
What does "Natural" chicken mean?
Only that the meat has no artificial ingredients or added color and is minimally processed. It says nothing about how the bird was raised, and nearly all raw chicken qualifies. It is not a welfare claim.
Does pasture raised chicken include turkey?
The labels and certifications work the same way for turkey, and this guide's logic applies.
Sources and Standards
We built this guide using USDA labeling regulations and guidance, published standards from independent animal-welfare certification programs, peer-reviewed research on broiler welfare and pasture-based production, and first-party information from the brands included in our recommendations. When standards or claims differ, we prioritize the underlying regulatory or certification requirements over marketing language.
USDA notice explaining the documentation used to substantiate animal-raising claims on meat and poultry, including Pasture Raised, and the agency’s updated recommendations for pasture-related claims and third-party certification.
USDA explanations of commonly used meat and poultry labeling claims, including Pasture Raised, Free Range, Natural, No Antibiotics, and No Added Hormones.
USDA guidance for substantiating animal-raising claims on meat and poultry, including Pasture Raised, Free Range, Cage Free, and other production claims.
Current G.A.P. standards for chickens raised for meat, covering breed, housing, outdoor and pasture access, vegetation, and the requirements associated with G.A.P. Step 4 and Pasture Raised labeling.
Certified Humane standards for broiler chickens, including requirements for housing, outdoor access, and its Pasture Raised production system.
Historical U.S. broiler-industry data on average market age, market weight, feed conversion, and mortality, showing how broiler growth rates and body weights have changed over time.
Peer-reviewed study examining leg weakness and gait abnormalities in broiler chickens and the relationship between locomotion problems and genetic strain.
Scientific review examining heart failure and cardiovascular disorders in modern fast-growing broiler chickens, including the physiological effects associated with rapid growth.
European Commission scientific report examining broiler welfare and the consequences of genetic selection for rapid growth, including leg, metabolic, and cardiovascular problems.
Peer-reviewed study comparing standard-, medium-, and slower-growing broilers, including differences in time to reach the same body weight, activity, gait, and other welfare measures.
Quantitative analysis comparing welfare and pain burdens in conventional broilers with systems using slower-growing breeds and higher-welfare production standards.
Defines the criteria for Heritage Chicken, including recognized historic breeds, natural mating, suitability for a long productive outdoor life, and a minimum 16-week growth period before market.
First-person post from PastureBird founder Paul Greive discussing the company’s use of Cornish Cross chickens.
Peer-reviewed study examining how pasture access affects antioxidant levels and fatty-acid composition in chicken meat, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Scientific review of the environmental opportunities and challenges of pasture-based poultry production, including nutrient cycling, pasture management, soil impacts, runoff, and water-quality risks.
G.A.P.’s animal-welfare standards for turkeys, covering housing, outdoor and pasture access, and requirements across its tiered certification program.
How we evaluate labels: We prioritize primary sources, including federal regulations and guidance and the published standards of independent certification programs. Our recommendations focus specifically on whether a label provides meaningful evidence that animals were raised outdoors.
Published: September 23, 2026
Last reviewed: September 2026
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