Roasting a chicken at home can be time-consuming, and patiently waiting to dig in as your home fills with an irresistible aroma can be downright torturous. When you’re short on time, ready-to-go rotisserie chickens from the store are a quick and tasty way to pass this test. Add in the lower price point, and popping by the market for a roasted bird is pretty enticing. A raw chicken should cost more than a pre-made rotisserie chicken because it takes more work to cook, package, and keep warm. This is how it works at restaurants.
It turns out that theres a good reason why rotisserie chickens are such a bargain, and youre probably not going to like it: The birds usually start out as raw ones that are closing in on their expiration dates, but havent sold yet. This isnt a chicken-only practice for grocery stores. Many ingredients that on their last leg may be taken off shelves and repurposed into prepared foods.
You might use similar methods to use up ingredients at home, but the way that supermarkets cook their nearly-expired food is out of your hands, which can feel a bit unnerving. The good news is that the safety of rotisserie chickens isnt something to worry about, as long as you properly store and handle them. However, clever repurposing isnt the only secret these birds are keeping.
One of the most popular and often eaten meats in the United States is chicken. Chicken is cheap, easy to cook, and can be used in a lot of different ways. In fact, it costs a lot less per pound than beef or pork. But why is chicken so much less expensive than other meats?
The low price of chicken can be attributed to a combination of factors:
The Rise of Industrial Chicken Farming
In the last few decades, there has been a big change in how chickens are raised for meat. Large industrial farms called CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) have mostly taken the place of small family farms.
Tens of thousands of chickens live in these buildings, which focus on efficiency and high production volumes. Industrial farming has lowered costs and filled the market with cheap chicken by using economies of scale. Chickens spend their whole lives inside in crowded places.
Vertical Integration in the Chicken Industry
Many major chicken producers like Tyson and Perdue are vertically integrated. This means they control every step of production from the hatchery to the slaughterhouse.
Vertical integration allows companies to optimize operations reduce costs through bulk pricing, and maximize efficiency. The companies benefit from wider profit margins while keeping consumer prices low.
Selective Breeding and Specialized Feeding
Broiler chickens raised for meat have been selectively bred to grow larger breast muscles and gain weight rapidly. They reach slaughter size in just 6-8 weeks.
Their feed is also specially formulated with corn, soy and other nutrients to accelerate growth. These feed ingredients are themselves subsidized crops in the US. Cheap feed equals cheap chickens.
Government Subsidies
The government provides subsidies to corn and soy farmers, which keeps the cost of chicken feed unnaturally low and reduces the overhead for chicken producers.
Lax regulations around environmental protection and animal welfare also allow industrial chicken farms to operate more cheaply than if stricter rules were enforced.
Consumer Demand
Growing consumer demand for chicken has enabled mass production. Chicken is seen as healthier than red meat, versatile to cook, and convenient due to its quick cooking time. This perception and popularity has driven more and more production.
Low Labor Costs
Chicken processing plants rely heavily on low wage labor to keep costs down. The difficult and dangerous nature of the work leads to high turnover. As long as there is a steady supply of workers willing to accept low pay, companies can maintain slim margins.
Globalized Markets
Increasingly globalized agriculture and the free trade of chicken with countries that have even lower production costs (such as China and Brazil) has also helped keep the retail price of chicken low for American consumers. Domestic producers face pressure to keep prices competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all chickens raised in CAFOs?
No, not all chickens come from CAFOs. Pasture-raised and organic chickens are produced in smaller operations with more space and access to the outdoors. But CAFOs dominate the overall market.
What’s the difference between organic and free-range chickens?
Antibiotics should never be given to organic chickens and they must only be fed organic food. There is a lot of variation in the amount and quality of food that free-range chickens eat.
Are chickens given hormones?
It’s illegal to administer hormones to chickens in the US. Their rapid growth comes from selective breeding and nutrient-rich feed.
Is cheap chicken safe to eat?
Industrial chicken goes through safety inspections and is considered safe. But overuse of antibiotics in CAFOs raises concerns about antibiotic resistance being transferred to humans.
What are the animal welfare concerns?
Critics argue that overcrowded, confined CAFO conditions cause immense stress and suffering for chickens. More natural, spacious environments are seen as more humane.
What’s the environmental impact of chicken farming?
Industrial chicken farming generates significant pollution from manure, greenhouse gases, and energy use. Pasture-raised systems offer ecological benefits like enhanced soil health.
How can I support better farming practices?
You can buy pasture-raised, organic, or certified humane chicken. These labels indicate healthier, more sustainable production – though at a higher price.
Are there good alternatives to chicken?
Shifting toward plant-based protein sources like beans, lentils, and tofu reduces environmental impact. Eating less meat overall, and treating it more as a side than the main dish, can also help.
So in closing, while chicken may be cheap, consumers should be aware of the hidden costs to animal welfare, farmworkers, and the planet. We have to weigh convenience against larger ethical and sustainability concerns. Though no one solution will change the system overnight, mindful consumption can slowly drive improvements in how our favorite proteins are raised.
Other sneaky secrets about rotisserie chicken
Theres a reason why your store-bought rotisserie chicken tastes so good, beyond the simple appeal of crisp skin and tender meat. The birds are often injected with a liquid solution to keep them moist and flavorful. A hodgepodge of ingredients come together to enhance the meats flavor, texture, and extend the chickens shelf life. Common players include sodium, sugar, MSG, preservatives, artificial flavors, and fillers or binders to help the bird keep its shape.
While this is a very common practice, it may raise concerns if youre looking to avoid certain ingredients. The simple way to know which rotisserie chickens to buy or avoid is to check the ingredient list on the label. Many chain stores display all of the ingredients included in their rotisserie chicken on the package. If youre at a smaller store, you can simply ask the staff about whats in the birds.
Because you have to keep this a secret, you can always make your own rotisserie chicken on the grill if you want to take a break from buying chicken at the store. You don’t have to give up your favorite grab-and-go food just because you’re worried about a lot of things about it. Handle your rotisserie bird properly, and it wont harm you or make you sick.