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Glam Journal

How much does pasture raised chicken cost?

Author

Elijah King

Updated on March 19, 2026

How much does pasture raised chicken cost?

For a chicken that has been humanely raised, the cost is roughly $5.27 per chicken compared to $1.73 per chicken at a mass production farm.

Is pastured poultry profitable?

Some poultry producers start out with some other off-farm income and then gradually grow into a full-time farming enterprise. Joel Salatin, for example, has perfected raising poultry for profit. According to Salatin, raising poultry on pasture, even for part of the year, can be lucrative.

Why is pastured chicken so expensive?

High-quality, humanely raised beef, pork, and poultry come at a higher cost than the cheap meat you can buy at the supermarket. That’s because the costs are higher to treat animals well. And we believe doing so is worth it.

How much does pasture raised turkey cost?

There is a downfall to the pasture-raised turkey: the steep price tag. A commercial Butterball turkey will cost about $30 for a 20-pound bird, but the price hits closer to $120 for the same size bird raised on open fields.

How much should a whole chicken cost?

On average, a whole non-organic chicken will cost $0.75 to $1.50 per pound, while an organic whole chicken can cost upwards of $2.50 to $5 per pound. The average chicken is going to cost $10 to $25 as a whole, but it will depend on the weight, type of chicken, where you purchase it and the current promotion.

Why is pasture raised so expensive?

Many pesticides used on those subsidized crops are petroleum-based, and factory farming requires a lot of transportation that runs off of fossil fuels. All of that grain has to be shipped in, and it is carried on trucks that run off oil-based fuels.

How much space do pastured chickens need?

Pasture-based chickens require 1.5 square feet per bird, so a Salatin-style tractor could hold 80 birds, while a Suscovich-style tractor would hold 36.

How many chickens can 1 acre support?

The conclusion of this work is that 50 chickens per acres is the optimum number, although he suggests that up to 100 chickens per acre is possible if the night droppings are disposed somewhere else.

Is pasture raised worth it?

In it, researchers found that one pasture-raised egg contains twice as much omega-3 fat, three times more vitamin D, four times more vitamin E and seven times more beta-carotene than eggs from hens raised on traditional feed. From an agricultural standpoint, pasture-raised eggs are often superior too.

Is pasture raised more expensive?

Pasture raised meats are typically more expensive than conventional meat. Believe it or not, with the exception of chickens, it does not cost us much more to raise our animals on pasture than it does a feedlot to finish beef. However, our scale and processing costs make all the difference.

How long does it take to raise a turkey to 20 lbs?

How Long Does it Take to Raise a Turkey? If you are raising BB turkeys, they will reach butchering weight faster than a heritage breed. I found that in about 3 1/2 months I had Broad Breasted turkeys that dressed out at around 12-14 pounds. After 4 1/2 to 5 months they dressed out in the 15-19 pound range.

Where can I buy pasture raised chicken?

The best way to buy pastured poultry is go directly to the source — your local farmer. While some farmers do sell pastured poultry through grocery stores and distributors, the overwhelming majority can be found selling from their farm store, farmers market, and local restaurants.

Where can you buy laying hens?

The best way to buy adult laying hens is from a local breeder or hobby farmer who has extra birds for sale. They are sometimes available from professional hatcheries, but this method is usually more expensive. Hatcheries, farm and ranch supply stores, and other sources for laying hens often focus primarily on chicks.

What is farm raised chicken?

The farm-raised chickens label really doesn’t differentiate, unless it says raised without antibiotics . They’ll all be antibiotic free because they went through a withdrawal period. The farm-raised label doesn’t mean they are raised without antibiotics. There are some that are, but that is being phased out.

What is pasteurized chicken?

A free range pastured chicken system. Pastured poultry is a sustainable agriculture technique that calls for the raising of laying chickens, meat chickens (broilers), and/or turkeys on pasture, as opposed to indoor confinement.

What is poultry farms?

A poultry farm is where domesticated birds are raised. Poultry include chickens, turkey, ducks, and geese. These animals are raised for their meat and eggs.