Farm & Flock Alternative Breeds
Farm & Flock— presented by Chicken Whisperer Magazine ®
Slower-growing birds may take longer to reach market weight— at least nine weeks for the fastest. Since they are alive for longer, they may consume more feed than Cornish Cross— or they may not, depending on the quality of forages.
You can expect a lower mortality rate from higher welfare birds. These and other differences should be accounted for in your planning.
For newer farmers, healthier birds might be harder to catch, so planning your corral and catch method ahead of time will minimize that difference. If you aren’ t slaughtering on farm, it is important to discuss expected timelines with your processor and to be upfront about the breeds you are using in case they have specific requirements for farmers not using Cornish Cross.
What Are Farmers Saying?
There are increasingly more alternative breed options available for farmers to raise, and both the chickens and producers who are raising them benefit when this switch is made.
Vanessa Frias, co-owner of Willowbrook Farms in Michigan, says:
“ Using the Pioneer helps us to look forward to the future of farming. Cornish chickens are not meant for outdoors. Transitioning to a slower and foraging bird has changed our operation for the better.”
Samantha Gasson, co-owner of Bull City Farm in North Carolina, says:
“ One of my greatest joys is watching our birds run around their pasture doing their chicken-y thing. Last summer, we accidentally got a dozen Cornish Crosses in with our Freedom Rangers. The Cornish Cross watched as their feathered friends hunted insects; they just existed while their slower-growing counterparts thrived. Every weekend at our farmers’ market, we receive compliments about the taste and texture of our chicken. All of the other poultry vendors at our markets are raising their birds outdoors in a similar way to us;
About the Author:
Photo credit LaBelle Patrimoine
we’ re all processing on farm, and we’ re feeding the same feed from the same feed mill— the only difference is that we opt for a slower growing bird … Breed matters, and consumers notice the difference in quality.”
Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, co-owner of Salvatierra Farms and founder of Regenerative Agriculture Alliance in Minnesota, says:
“ As a farmer, optimizing rural livelihoods in a way that is independent of extractive systems is critical, and opting for the right livestock genetics that align with those goals is crucial. Salvatierra Farms conducted research with support from the ASPCA and the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance that showed the adaptability of the Pioneer breed to actual free-ranging conditions. The Pioneer is a slower growing breed compared to industrial options, yet is proven to make sense for market— a true gem in poultry genetics.”
Farmers who have made the switch to better breeds express pride in their healthy chickens scratching, pecking and foraging, and these birds are turning into a competitive advantage in the market. With more alternative genetics and supportive resources available, it’ s easier than ever to make the switch and benefit from better breeds.
The ASPCA maintains an up-to-date list of hatcheries that prioritize higher welfare breeds to make getting started easier. For farmers looking to source these options, contacting your local hatchery directly to express interest will also help even more farmers benefit from this growing market.
Nancy Roulston is the senior director of corporate policy and animal science at the ASPCA, focused on farm animal welfare and industry engagement. Nancy collaborates with food businesses of all sizes to develop animal welfare policies, practices and procurement to build more humane supply chains. Nancy co-developed the ASPCA’ s resources that connect American shoppers to higher welfare groceries.
14 AcreageLife June 2026 AcreageLife. com