free-range chicken Label Rouge

Why do we even claim such things? The organic chicken sold here in Germany is certainly raised much better than conventional chicken. But there are two crucial differences from our free-range chicken.

Our free-range chickens must come from a slow-growing, heritage breed. In contrast to organic chickens, which here in Germany are usually produced using the same breed of chicken as in the conventional sector. The most important advantage of this heritage breed of chicken is its slow growth. The birds take about three times as long to reach slaughter age. The birds are only old enough to receive the Label Rouge seal after at least 81 days. This gives the free-range chickens plenty of time to develop their outstanding flavor. The main reason this heritage breed is not widespread in Germany is the smaller breast proportion. In the hybrid breeds common in Germany, the thighs are small and the breasts are bred to be full and large. This is an advantage for poultry farmers in terms of the added value of the animals. However, this fact is very detrimental to animal welfare, as the birds often struggle with heart problems due to their enormous and, above all, very rapidly growing body volume. In complete contrast to our free-range chickens.

It is of course true that organic chickens also have a large outdoor area to roam and plenty of space in the coops. But with our free-range chickens it is even better. They can move around completely freely during the day. The farms are secluded in nature. The free-range chickens only have to stay in the coop at night to protect them from predators such as foxes. During the day they can stay in the coop or move around freely in the extensive grass and woodland areas. We know our free-range chicken farmers. Our free-range chickens also score almost the highest points when it comes to regionality. If you are now asking: How is that possible? The chickens come from southwest France. How can they score points for regionality? Of course we would also prefer to have such a producer association in our local area. We are now certain: There is NO such producer association in the whole of Germany that supplies this quality of free-range chicken! We have therefore opted for a high-performance and, above all, certified free-range chicken partnership with Les Fermier Landais.