Happy Hen Farm's
Pasture Raised Fresh Chicken
At Happy Hen Farm, we raise two varieties of broiler chickens to give our Raleigh area consumers more choice in their chicken needs. We raise both varieties the same - on pasture with non-GMO, soy-free feed from a local mill. We utilize "chicken tractors" that we move daily to ensure their safety from predators, reduce their stress, allow the pasture to benefit from their natural fertilizer, as well as to provide constant fresh grass and insect hunting for the chickens. We sell both varieties whole or half and packaged in shrink wrap and ready to cook or freeze.
We raise a variety of specialty broiler called a Royal Broiler. This breed is a slower grower that provides a heritage-type, gourmet flavor that chefs and home cooks both enjoy, while still providing larger portions of breast meat than our typical heritage breeds and other meat birds bred to be raised on pasture such as Red Rangers. We raise them outdoors on pasture with non-GMO, soy-free, locally milled feed. We love the taste and texture of this chicken and find it superior to anything we can get in the grocery store as it provides a mix of heritage chicken and traditional broilers.
We also occasionally raise the traditional broiler chicken, the Cornish Cross. If you have eaten in an American restaurant or bought chicken at the grocery store - this is the breed that you have eaten. These little guys get a little bit of a bad rep, that we have found to be undeserving. They were bred specifically to gain weight quickly and provide the larger breast meat that American consumers are accustomed to eating. They are typically raised indoors, fed super high protein, and in huge numbers all over the country. However, we have found that by slowing down, raising them on pasture, and feeding them a lower protein, high quality, soy-free feed, they grow quite nicely and are enjoyable to raise. We think that you will find that the finished product is delicious and familiar, but with a better texture and taste than what you can find in the grocery store.
To purchase chicken, please visit our Farm Store.
