What do we think to Co-Op Elmwood chicken and Waitrose chicken then?

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Times are tough in the Namey household and we are tightening our belts (for eg. tomorrow is my birthday and my present from dh is one book).

I was thinking of downgrading the chicken I buy from free range or organic to the Co-Op and Waitrose ones which are bred indoors but are not caged in batteries.

I remember watching an Ocado video about their chickens once and thinking that the living conditions did not seem miserable.

Nothing will make me buy "value" (shudder) chicken, but do you think this halfway house type of chicken is actually not too bad? Or am I deluding myself?

Tia

M&S Oakwood chicken is nice, sort of inbetween Organic and the normal stuff. I do try and get Organic as the kids like it, but it is very expensive when times are tough. Not tried the Co-Op one but their fruit and vege is really good so will give it a go.

What book are you getting and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Thank you!. I am getting Alexei Sayle's autobiography . Its what I asked for ...

Do you know what kind of living conditions the M&S chickens live in? I am one of those carnivores who doesn't like my meat or fish to have been unhappy when it was alive.

Waitrose chicken and Oakham both are my usual buys for chicken as the free range is too expensive. Best of the rest I think.
Although I don't buy value chicken I'm not entirely sure this is a whole lot better as I haven't really looked into the coditions!

When I can buy free range organic I can tell the difference. No strange fatty deposits or wibbly bits.

This is interesting although not that suprising.

Thanks for replying Morag. Your link is this thread though! Or at least it is when I click on it .

I'm going to try and find the little video about the Waitrose chickens ...

I found it. Its quite reassuring. The chickens aren't free range, they do stay indoors, but the living conditions look not bad to me.

M&S Oakham chicken is a load of old bollocks - well not literally! It's a marketing triumph which even my own mother (usually a savvy shopper) has fallen for. They are nowhere near organic standard and are not even free-range. They are barn reared all over the place - not even in Oakham! M&S say that their conditions meet their standards, whatever that means.

I would sacrifice something else and stick to free-range. You really can tell the difference and the chickens will thank you for it .

Ok, will stick to Waitrose.

I buy mine on-line. Expensive but then we only eat a whole chicken every fortnight. Label Anglais. Very nice - you can tell they are proper free range as the breast isnt pumped up nor is it white (very yellow).

If pies, curries I would aim for thighs. So much cheaper and full of taste. If you can source these organic/free range you'll save a fortune.

Why not try buying thighs at farmers markets or on-line?

I buy all of my meat from a butchers which sells organic and free range. Once tried M&S organic chicken it was revolting took it back to the shop and questioned whether it was actually organic as it was nothing like any free range or organic chicken I had eaten in the past from a butcher. I would'nt trust Waitrose either as there was a scare a while back regarding their organic chickens being contaminated, I think we are led to believe that our supermarkets are sourcing their meat from small local farms, the Waitrose organic chicken was from Bernard Matthews I seem to recall.

I buy all my meat from my local butcher. It's not organic, it's sort of free range (I know that wouldn't satisfy the purists). It tastes much better than any supermarket meat, plus it's a local business - Dad, two sons and spotty apprentice, sawdust on floor.

Also you can get the cuts and advice you want. If you're looking at tightening your belt, consider getting the butcher to do you legs or thighs. If it's the breast meat you want, try a supreme which is often cheaper.

Channel 4 food program now talking about Oakham chicken!

The same chicken producer provides Oakham chicken for M&S, Willow Farm chicken for Tesco and Elmwood for co-op! So it probably doesn't matter which shop you buy from in this category - they will all be from the same producers.

Bacon's suggestion about brown meat is a good idea.

I do very much favour thighs for recipes and midweek meals. Hardly ever buy breast.

I am talking about whole chickens to roast here, and make a soup from the carcass. I probably do this every 3 or 4 weeks.

Its marvellous for the people who have posted to say that they only buy organic chicken online or from their local butchers. Doesn't exactly answer my question though!

I was in Aldi today & noticed they sell free range chicken for £4.99. Didn't stop to read the label or look at it in any detail (buy my chicken from local farmers market). Does anyone know anything about this ? Missed the programmme on CH4..darn!