WHAT "NATURAL" MEANS TO MAVERICK RANCH

Maverick Ranch Free-Range Chicken is truly natural! Nearly all conventional chicken is allowed to carry USDA "natural" labeling, which simply means that the harvested chicken has been minimally processed and contains no artificial ingredients. The protocols of Maverick Ranch Free-Range Chicken, however, go well beyond the limited requirements of these USDA labeling rules. We never allow antibiotics in the feed or water for our naturally-raised chicken. If a Maverick Ranch chicken gets sick, it is removed from the flock and treated separately, but it is not allowed back into our production.

  Additionally, our chickens are never given any growth stimulants, added hormones, or steroids of any kind (per federal regulations).

VEGETARIAN FED FOR SUPERIOR FLAVOR

   Maverick Ranch Free-Range Chickens are fed only the highest quality, 100% vegetarian grain diet. This farm-raised soybean and cornmeal ration, developed by an animal nutritionist, produces the best-tasting chicken found anywhere. Absolutely no animal fats, proteins, or byproducts are ever fed to our chickens.

FREE RANGE MEANS BETTER LIVING

   Maverick Ranch Free-Range Chicken flocks run together freely in spacious, customized housing designed for optimal chicken health and a stress-free environment. They can also roam outdoors and forage outside, in a fenced yard to protect them from natural predators. We do not allow our chickens to be debeaked. Debeaking is a common practice in factory farms, but not at Maverick Ranch. We strictly adhere to humane animal handling methods during every phase of production.

SANOVA: PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY

   In 2002 Maverick Ranch became the first retail-oriented meat plant in the nation to install the SANOVA system, a USDA-approved method of eliminating pathogenic (harmful) bacteria. Before leaving our plant, each Maverick Ranch Free-Range Chicken receives treatment by SANOVA, which destroys over 99% of these pathogens (in the unlikely event that any are present to begin with), including Salmonella, Listeria, and E.coli O157:H7. SANOVA does this without leaving any residue or affecting taste and tenderness in any way. Unlike other antibacterial measures, SANOVA destroys the harmful bacteria but leaves the "good" bacteria which provide a line of defense against the possible new introduction of harmful bacteria in the store or in your home. We do not irradiate any of our products.

AIR CHILLED VS. WATER CHILLED

  Maverick Ranch sets a new standard for premium quality and safety by utilizing a revolutionary air chill processing method. With very few exceptions, nearly all other chicken in the United States is water chilled. The water chilling process uses circulating water in a community-style immersion bath. During the procedure chickens absorb this water, which can then account for up to 12% of their total weight at retail. USDA labeling rules do require producers to state the actual percentage of absorbed water on their packaging.

   With our air chilling process, no Maverick Ranch chicken ever makes contact with another, greatly reducing the potential for bacterial spread.  As a result, bacteria counts can be as much as 80% lower! Our chickens absorb no water since they are never immersed or even spray chilled with water. Air chilling also provides for a distinctly better flavor and texture because the natural juices, proteins, and enzymes are not diluted with absorbed water during processing. Try some today and savor the distinctive flavor of Maverick Ranch’s Free Range, Air Chilled, Natural Chicken!