FAQ
Q: What is heirloom chicken?
A: USDA defines Heirloom as Heritage breeds. Cooks Venture’s heirloom chickens are bred from Heritage lines.
Q: What breed does Cooks Venture grow?
A: Cooks Venture’s heirloom chickens are Pioneer breed.
Q: Where and how are Cooks Venture’s chickens pasture raised?
A: Cooks Venture’s chickens have unrestricted access to Cooks Venture’s wooded, 800 acre farm in Decatur, Arkansas, 24 hours everyday, 365 days a year. Heirloom chickens are bred to thrive outdoors.
Q: What kinds of grasses are found in Cooks Venture’s pastures?
A: Tall fescue, Bermuda Grass, Johnson Grass
Q: How does air-chilled compare to water-chilled?
A: Most processors cool chickens in vats of ice cold water, where they also absorb water, known as water-chilled. Water chilling tends to dilute meat quality and flavor. Air chilled chickens pass through several chambers of cold, purified air, which takes longer, but produces no added moisture, a retention of natural juices, and a tender, more flavorful meat, which cooks faster.
Q: Are Cooks Venture chickens GAP certified?
A: Cooks Venture chickens Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Step 4 certified, which requires the following:
- birds have daily access to pasture starting at the age of fourweeks
- the pasture is to be maintained
- use of a breed that is bred to live outdoors
- shade and enrichments to be made available
Q: Does Heirloom Chicken cook differently?
A: Pasture-raised heirloom chicken will cook faster — up to 30% quicker! We recommend using a meat thermometer to check your chicken while cooking, removing it from the heat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
