Free Run, Free Range & Organic

Overview
You have probably seen the words “Free Run”, “Free Range”, and “Organic” on packages of chicken in the store.  These terms all refer to how the chicken was raised, see below for the definitions.

Free Run
Free Run means that a bird is able to move freely throughout a barn and is not confined in a cage.  All chickens grown in Canada for meat purposes are free run.

Free Range
Free Range means that a bird has access to the outdoors.  Due to the weather in Canada, the free range season is short.

Organic
Organic chickens are birds raised using certified organic feed and fresh, untreated drinking water.  The Certified Organics Association of BC also requires growers to allow their birds access to pesticide free pasture for a minimum of 6 hours a day, weather permitting.  These chickens may have started out as conventional chicks.