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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask MEAT EATERS if you buy free range or standard chicken?

283 replies

Granllanog · 04/10/2021 11:03

I got attacked on my last thread for saying I buy standard supermarket chicken. Considering only 4% of all of the chicken produced in the UK is free-range and only 1% is organic I don't think I am unusual in doing this?

YABU = I'm a meat eater and only ever eat/buy free-range chicken.
YANBU = I buy standard chicken.

OP posts:
WhenISnappedAndFarted · 04/10/2021 12:20

I used to buy free range or organic chickens because I thought they were much better treated, turns out they aren't. They're a bit better than the caged hens but not as well treated as it's made out they are.

I now only buy chickens from a friend who raises them and has them roaming around his paddock. I know they've been looked after but I don't eat chicken that often anymore and meat in generally now I'm thinking about it

Lobelia123 · 04/10/2021 12:21

To the poster who posted so blithely 'who cares' and that these are just labels to fool wealthy people. Im not wealthy and I care. I care that that animal that has feelings and life should have a fair quality of life to enjoy before it does so I can enjoy mine. I dont always buy organic but the free range label is very important to me and I agree with all the poncy tv chefs that it actually DOES make a difference to the taste. And I feel good about my purchase and my meal and that Im supporting farmers trying to farm ethically.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 04/10/2021 12:21

I've voted YABU but I don't think you are. We buy FR chicken but then, we can afford it. I think its very patronising if I say to people that they should only buy FR chicken when non FR is so much cheaper.

There is a whole cultural shift which needs to be made with regard to cheap food and particularly cheap meat. But criticising people on strict budgets isn't the way forward.

Claudethecat · 04/10/2021 12:22

[quote Hdhdjejdj]@Claudethecat Aldi meat is RSPCA Assured so is ok.[/quote]
Thanks!

IsabellesMissingSock · 04/10/2021 12:23

Free range/organic/best standards possible for the shop in question, on the very rare occasion that I buy chicken. Why would anyone not do that? If you can't afford it, why eat it? Or do you not care about the livings standards of animals beyond those that you created/live with/are related to?

Hdhdjejdj · 04/10/2021 12:25

@Claudethecat. Red Tractor standards are not as high so always look out for the RSPCA Assured symbol. It means the animals have been given more space and allowed to act in a natural way, and grow normally.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 04/10/2021 12:27

Broiler chickens are a difficult one. They don't really get a chance to have what we would call a 'natural' life, given it is so short and they are living in massive flocks in large barns.
Even free range chickens often don't like to go outside, they are originally forest birds and don't like to roam far in exposed fields. So even with access to the outside, they don't make the most of it.
The vast majority are also fed on concentrate food with imported soy.

The biggest benefit i see from organic, is that if we can increase consumer demand for organic meat, it should have an impact on antibiotic use in meat production and also on the importing of soy livestock feed. Which applies to chicken, pork and beef.

When I do buy a chicken I try for organic free range if it is available, but mostly it's just simple red tractor UK chicken on the shelves in co-op. I find it easier to source and buy high-welfare grass fed beef.

I very rarely buy pork as a joint or cut, but do buy lots of sausages and bacon, but definitely go as high end as I can afford with those.
I have a lot more guilt over pig & chicken consumption than I do over dairy and beef, as I have more opportunity to wield consumer power through choice in the latter.

thegcatsmother · 04/10/2021 12:27

Free range chicken as I can now afford it; however, I would not judge anyone who didn't if they are on a budget and have a family to feed. I think it's more important to feed your kids than anything else.

BigWoollyJumpers · 04/10/2021 12:29

I do buy standard chicken, but then I only buy from Waitrose, I know, I know, but at least they are all GB chickens and get much better care than the other "standard" chickens from elsewhere.

IsabellesMissingSock · 04/10/2021 12:31

@BigWoollyJumpers

I do buy standard chicken, but then I only buy from Waitrose, I know, I know, but at least they are all GB chickens and get much better care than the other "standard" chickens from elsewhere.
Do they?
IsabellesMissingSock · 04/10/2021 12:32

@thegcatsmother

Free range chicken as I can now afford it; however, I would not judge anyone who didn't if they are on a budget and have a family to feed. I think it's more important to feed your kids than anything else.
But why do they have to be fed mistreated chickens? Other, more nutritious, food is available Hmm
Helpel · 04/10/2021 12:33

I have a random pattern that I find acceptable - I dont know why. Wonder if others do this kind of rationalizing? So... Whole chickens - free range on basis we only have it once a month so can afford the extra cost. Chicken breasts/thighs - go for red tractor, not 'basics' but not free range/organic - convince self they must be looked after half ok. Eggs - always free range as not that much more expensive by the unit and remember seeing caged hens in old documentaries. I know this is generally bullshit and makes no rational sense, but I find it enough as someone who eats meat (all kinds, not just chicken) 2-3 times a week.

INeedNewShoes · 04/10/2021 12:35

I only buy free range meat and eggs. I won't eat chicken/eggs out unless they specify that it's free range.

I'm a single parent with a currently low income. I'd rather eat meat less often and buy decent meat when we do.

SweetPetrichor · 04/10/2021 12:36

I buy standard chicken, and other meats. I don’t think the difference in lifestyle equates to much for meat production chickens. They’re not built for enjoying the great outdoors and their lifespan is tiny. I used to ride at a yard that also produced chickens for meat. It didn’t put me off eating it.
I do buy free range eggs. Our local farm produces free range eggs and you drive past and see the hens out around the barns.
I’m not fussed about organic.

BananaPB · 04/10/2021 12:37

I buy regular. I'm a single parent on a low income so can't afford poshe so refuse to be shamed by day income people who earn more and have a cheaper mortgage than me .

My eggs are always free range or organic though. I can afford to pay the extra on that so that is my contribution to chicken welfare. If money was no object then I'd pay for organic but this is the real world

LastToBePicked · 04/10/2021 12:37

@IsabellesMissingSock

Why would anyone not do that? If you can't afford it, why eat it? Or do you not care about the livings standards of animals beyond those that you created/live with/are related to?

I can afford to buy FR and always do when it’s a choice of a FR bird or a standard bird.

But…

Do I sometimes buy standard chicken nuggets as it’s one of the few kinds of protein I can get my fussy DS to eat? And because when we get home at 6:30 on a school night I can either throw them in the oven while I help him with homework or spend double the time breading my own chicken, he gets no help with homework, we eat later, in bed later, he doesn’t get enough sleep…and so on.

So yes, when it comes down to it, I care more about my DS than I do a chicken. Sorry.

Milkbottlelegs · 04/10/2021 12:37

I thought the red tractor label only really meant it was British? I think from an animal welfare perspective it just means they’ve met the legal (minimum) requirements. So it might not be any better from that perspective than the basic ranges.

IsabellesMissingSock · 04/10/2021 12:38

@BananaPB

I buy regular. I'm a single parent on a low income so can't afford poshe so refuse to be shamed by day income people who earn more and have a cheaper mortgage than me .

My eggs are always free range or organic though. I can afford to pay the extra on that so that is my contribution to chicken welfare. If money was no object then I'd pay for organic but this is the real world

Why buy meat at all then?
Essen · 04/10/2021 12:38

I buy free range but it is really expensive compared to standard chicken. If we were living off just my salary, there is no way we could afford it.

cultkid · 04/10/2021 12:38

Only free range including if it's sliced chicken

If it's prepared food then if it's not available free range then I don't have it

I am very funny about meat it all has to be organic and free range chicken but usually organic at the absoloute minimum

Buy it all from Ocado

EcoCustard · 04/10/2021 12:38

I buy Lidl free range chicken and bacon if available, if not I don’t buy it. Beef & occasionally lamb from our local butcher who sells their own farm beef and lamb and it’s grass fed. Costs more but we eat it less often.

cultkid · 04/10/2021 12:38

Ditto milk and butter and if I can get cheese organic then I do that too

Its extortionate but a better choice for us

Horst · 04/10/2021 12:39

Can’t say I pay any attention I just grab a chicken that’s the right size if in say aldi or I order in a box deal of meats from the butchers.

Most of this free range stuff is a load of bs to make people feel better. It’s still only a certain amount of time or space needed outside even if they animals never even step foot out side of their barn. These chickens anit living in massive open fields with coops just dotted around. They are still intensively breed and raised to get them to the right sizes as soon as possible for slaughter.

IsabellesMissingSock · 04/10/2021 12:39

Sorry but "contribution to chicken welfare" 🙈🤣

ShuddaBeenMe · 04/10/2021 12:42

I buy the cheapest and biggest.

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