Can you tell me about your chicken?

Free-range? YES

USDA certified organic? YES

Humanely raised? YES

GAP-3 certified? YES

Ever given antibiotics or added hormones? NO (Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones or steroids in poultry)

We source our meat from people we trust. That means working with companies and farmers that are dedicated to doing the right thing—never cutting corners, and always looking for ways to improve. Our partners' operating methods are inspired by Dr. Temple Grandin, a member of the Humane Farm Animal Care Program's scientific committee. Their facilities are routinely inspected and approved by the USDA or a comparable agency.

Free-range means that chickens have access to the outdoors seasonally, whether the chickens choose to go outside or not.

 In most cases, “organic” applies to the diet of a chicken. To officially be called organic, a chicken must be fed organic food (grown with no pesticides and non-GMO seeds) and receive no antibiotics or added growth promotants.

Unfortunately, there are still many farmers using antibiotics with their chickens. ButcherBox is proud to offer chicken that’s never given antibiotics EVER.

The Global Animal Partnership (GAP) has created a meaningful animal welfare labeling program, verified by audits conducted on participating farms, in order to influence the food industry, raise consumer expectations, and create a sustainable environment. GAP defines animal welfare as 3 overlapping components that together with good management and genetics, contribute to good farm animal welfare:

• Health & Productivity – raising animals so that they’re healthy and productive with good quality feed and water, shelter, and free from disease, illness and injury (and treating any animals that get sick).
• Natural Living – raising animals in environments that allow them to express their natural behaviors effectively – both indoors and outdoors.
• Emotional Well Being – raising animals in environments that provide them the ability to be inquisitive and playful and minimize restlessness, frustration, stress and pain, as much as possible.

These three overlapping components above are defined within the GAP certification ranges, which starts at 1 (being the base certification).

GAP 1: No cages, no crates, no crowding. Chickens live in a stationary housing structure, are provided space to express natural behavior and are given access to added enrichments.
GAP 2: Everything in Gap 1 + Enriched environment. Chickens live in an indoor environment with at least two different types of added enrichments as well as natural light.
GAP 3: Everything in GAP 1 & 2 + Outdoor access. Chickens have seasonal outdoor access, more space requirements (in and out), and outdoor shade and enrichments.

Our chickens have a GAP 3 certification, which means they meet all of the criteria needed for GAP 1, 2, and 3.

For more information, check out our sourcing practices and standards, and see the details about our pork, beef, and seafood.