Chickens are fed a diet that is 100% vegetarian and are not given growth-promoting antibiotics. They are raised and processed in a humane manner and are never adulterated in any way. That said, they are not certified organic. Certifications like organic, which merely dictate a 'worst case' scenario, are prohibitively expensive for farmers and processors below a certain size.

The chickens are reared in temperature controlled houses that allow them to have comfortable living conditions and do not restrict their movement. They are not confined, or over-stocked like factory farmed chickens are. Commonwealth hand selects the best growers, and ensures that humane treatment and practices are always being followed. Improperly raised birds don't taste anywhere near as good as well-raised birds.

Chickens are primarily raised on small family farms in Pennsylvania, and to a lesser extent in New Hampshire. Commonwealth’s decision to raise birds outside of Maine was the result of an extensive sustainability analysis conducted in collaboration with the University of Maine, considering the carbon footprint of growing here versus in a warmer climate, and the emissions associated with multiple shipments of feed versus transporting birds once, among other factors. Given that quality is a primary motivating factor for us, we think this arrangement is the right balance between what makes sense environmentally, and what produces the best quality bird.