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I've been thinking about this lately.

With all the talk about organic and natural and free range, and how Pam (that's what I call her) is in the news again protesting about the treatment of chickens I ask you:

Which do you prefer - free range or factory?

Personally, I have to go with free range. I mean the feel of a free range breast when you first touch it says it all.

I think free range also tastes better, although some folks say you can't taste the difference. Trust me - I CAN!

But the BEST thing about free range is that you know that breast hasn't been abused during its lifetime. It has grown up free from the purveyors of technology.

You can keep your factory-raised breast, but for me it's free range all the way.

Please vote - it can make a difference in people's lives!

Cheers.

ps my wife thinks I should make it clear I'm talking CHICKENS here. What the hell did she think I was talking about!?

and since we are talkin' chickens, what the he!! difference does it make where they come from.

I am like... free range what? Is someone giving away stoves..... LMAO

The factory ones sometimes look nicer and are usually perkier, but I prefer to partake in free-range, myself...

heck - as long as it is deep fried with some fried potatoes and gravy i'm good to go.

Parts is parts.

Like I can afford to be choosy.

txaggirl91 wrote:heck - as long as it is deep friend with some fried potatoes and gravy i'm good to go.

I've never considered breasts as friends (let alone deep friends), but I guess with fried potatoes on the side and covered in gravy I could consider them buddies.

Cheers.

This actually is from a post of mine in a previous thread, but seems relevant. Hope nobody minds.


Former agriculture teacher here...

If you like organic, and think it's better, fine, buy it. However, with the exception of the small % of folks who are very sensitive, the chemicals, pesticides, etc. are going to be a non-factor in your life. There's just not enough of them there to cause a problem.

As for kids maturing earlier, it's not the growth hormones/chemical/whatever. It's simply the fact that today's generation is better fed than any previous. Yes, they eat junk food, but they also get plenty of it, vitamin enriched breads, daily vitamins, etc. etc. etc. Going back over a hundred years, the average person (man OR woman) has been getting taller for the exact same reasons.

As for taste, it's true that the stuff you buy at farmer's markets is probably going to taste better. Again, it's not the chemicals. It's actually the variety of tomato/corn/whatever.

The tomatos you buy in stores are of a variety that was bred to have a tougher skin (bruises less) and a longer shelf life. Helps stores have produce that looks nice with minimal waste. Problem is that they did NOT select for taste, thus store tomatos just don't taste as good.

The farmer's market guys, though, can buy and grow varieties that ARE bred for taste because they don't have the shipping/storage worries that grocery stores do.

Also, quick note on organic or range-grown chickens/turkeys. These also are probably going to taste different/better than what you'll buy in stores. The reason is the diet. Chickens/turkeys raised in cage operations receive a very homogenized diet. Same stuff every day. "Range" birds, though get to eat bugs, other plants, etc., and that variety in diet causes their meat to have more flavor. If you happen into some range birds that got into a lot of wild onions, they may have a LOT of flavor.

txaggirl91 wrote:heck - as long as it is deep fried with some fried potatoes and gravy i'm good to go.

DING!!!!!!

txaggirl91 wrote:heck - as long as it is deep fried with some fried potatoes and gravy i'm good to go.

Hey you left me hangin' out to dry here!

I liked the original better!

Cheers.

All I know is....my grandmother's chicken tasted better than they do now...and these chickens were 'free-range' which meant they got to run around in a yard until she went outside, picked one out, and wrung it's neck. At least they thought they had a good life, up until the very last second. Kinda like us humans.

I don't care either way.


I know and understand that everyone has their own beliefs.
But I just hate it when they try to force their beliefs on me, whether it is politics, religion, or eating chicken.

Since I only eat white meat, as long as the chicken has big breasts I don't care where they come from.

I don't think they taste diffierent at all.

krusin1 wrote:This actually is from a post of mine in a previous thread, but seems relevant. Hope nobody minds.


Former agriculture teacher here...

If you like organic, and think it's better, fine, buy it. However, with the exception of the small % of folks who are very sensitive, the chemicals, pesticides, etc. are going to be a non-factor in your life. There's just not enough of them there to cause a problem.

As for kids maturing earlier, it's not the growth hormones/chemical/whatever. It's simply the fact that today's generation is better fed than any previous. Yes, they eat junk food, but they also get plenty of it, vitamin enriched breads, daily vitamins, etc. etc. etc. Going back over a hundred years, the average person (man OR woman) has been getting taller for the exact same reasons.

As for taste, it's true that the stuff you buy at farmer's markets is probably going to taste better. Again, it's not the chemicals. It's actually the variety of tomato/corn/whatever.

The tomatos you buy in stores are of a variety that was bred to have a tougher skin (bruises less) and a longer shelf life. Helps stores have produce that looks nice with minimal waste. Problem is that they did NOT select for taste, thus store tomatos just don't taste as good.

The farmer's market guys, though, can buy and grow varieties that ARE bred for taste because they don't have the shipping/storage worries that grocery stores do.

Also, quick note on organic or range-grown chickens/turkeys. These also are probably going to taste different/better than what you'll buy in stores. The reason is the diet. Chickens/turkeys raised in cage operations receive a very homogenized diet. Same stuff every day. "Range" birds, though get to eat bugs, other plants, etc., and that variety in diet causes their meat to have more flavor. If you happen into some range birds that got into a lot of wild onions, they may have a LOT of flavor.

Hey krusin1, I didn't know about your ag background. I've got a bit of that, too.

The other points I'd add are:

1) Free range will cost you a lot more. I don't know what the cost differential is these days but I'd guess 2-3 times more than "factory-raised" chickens. It's basically a "luxury good" market.

2) Free range chickens are more prone to some disease (e.g. coccidiosis) because no preventatives are in their feed (although the are not "stressed" as much), are in a more vulnerable environment, and are much older when "harvested".

I am STILL looking for Free Stoves!

Look at my belly and tell me if I LOOK like I'm a picky eater.

I've got enough chemicals running thru my body - I don't need any extra phosphates or injected crap.

Free range tastes better IMHO because it's NATURAL and not chemically enhanced.

LIPH wrote:Since I only eat white meat, as long as the chicken has big breasts I don't care where they come from.

you just wanted to work breasts into the post