Are you tired of running to the supermarket everytime you need some quality chicken for dinner? Maybe your looking for something more special than what’s available at your local store. Well, I’ve got some great news for ya – buying chicken online has never been easier! Whether your after organic free-range chicken for your family dinner, specialty cuts for a fancy recipe, or even baby chicks to start your own backyard flock, there’s an online retailer that’s perfect for your needs.
I’ve spent countless hours researching the best places to buy chicken online, and I’m excited to share my findings with you. Let’s dive right in!
For Gourmet Chicken Cuts: D’Artagnan
If your looking for premium, restaurant-quality chicken that will elevate your home cooking D’Artagnan is definately one of the best options out there. They’ve been a trusted supplier to many high-end restaurants for years, and now us regular folks can access the same quality products!
What D’Artagnan Offers:
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Heritage Green Circle Chicken – These are slow-growth heritage breed chickens raised on vegetable-rich diets with outdoor access. They’re raised for 85 days (twice as long as average commercial chickens).
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Green Circle Chicken – Humanely raised and certified by the Humane Farm Animal Care organization. These birds are recognized by the ASPCA and included in their “Shop With Your Heart” list.
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Organic Chicken – USDA-certified free-range organic chickens fed with 100% non-GMO organic feed of corn and soy.
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Poussin – These are young, tender chickens (raised 3-4 weeks) perfect for roasting whole.
Chicken Cuts Available:
D’Artagnan offers a wide variety of cuts to suit whatever recipe your planning
- Whole chickens
- Boneless skinless breasts
- Bone-in thighs
- Boneless skinless thighs
- Drumsticks
- Wings
- Leg quarters
- Tenderloins
They also offer specialty items like chicken sausages (apple, mediterranean, wild mushroom, and truffle varieties) and prepared items like chicken leg confit and smoked chicken breast.
What I Love About D’Artagnan:
The quality is exceptional, and their commitment to humane raising practices is something I really appreciate. Their air-chilled chicken (versus water-chilled) means your getting more flavor and less water weight. They’re currently offering 10% off select chicken products, which is a nice bonus!
For Starting Your Own Flock: Cackle Hatchery
Maybe your looking to go beyond just buying chicken meat – perhaps you want to start raising your own backyard chickens? Cackle Hatchery is one of the best places to order baby chicks online. They’re now taking orders for 2025, so you can reserve your chicks early!
What Cackle Hatchery Offers:
- Egg-Laying Chickens – Brown, white, dark brown, and colored egg layers
- Meat/Broiler Chickens – Breeds specifically for meat production
- Rare Chicken Breeds – Hard-to-find heritage varieties
- Bantam Chickens – Smaller chicken varieties perfect for smaller spaces
- Old English Game – Traditional game bird varieties
They also offer specials including small order specials, weekly specials, and bargain specials for those on a budget.
Why Choose Cackle Hatchery:
I appreciate their selection of chickens for different climates – they have specific sections for hot weather and cold weather chickens, which is super helpful depending on where you live. They also provide detailed care instructions for when your baby chicks arrive.
Another Great Hatchery Option: Murray McMurray
Murray McMurray Hatchery has been in business for over a century and remains a trusted, family-owned business. They offer a wide selection of day-old baby chicks and other poultry.
What Murray McMurray Offers:
- All types of baby chicks – Including bantams and various egg layers
- Hatching eggs – If you want to experience hatching yourself
- Equipment – Everything from incubators to coops, feeders, and waterers
What Sets Murray McMurray Apart:
They hand-pack each order of baby chicks and offer a 48-hour live delivery guarantee. They also provide free shipping on full orders of baby poultry, which can save you quite a bit of money. They call themselves the “One Stop Coop Shop” because they literally have everything you need to start and maintain your flock.
Comparing Your Options
To help you decide which online chicken retailer is best for your needs, I’ve put together this handy comparison table:
| Retailer | Best For | Price Range | Shipping | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D’Artagnan | Gourmet meat chicken | Premium ($20-60 per item) | Standard shipping | Air-chilled, humanely raised, organic options |
| Cackle Hatchery | Live baby chicks for eggs/meat | Varies by breed | Live shipment | Now taking orders for 2025, climate-specific breeds |
| Murray McMurray | Complete poultry starting kits | Varies by breed/item | Free shipping on full orders | 100+ years experience, 48-hour live guarantee |
Tips for Buying Chicken Online
When I first started ordering chicken products online, I made a few mistakes that you can avoid. Here are some tips:
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Plan ahead for shipping times – Fresh meat products need to be delivered quickly, while live chicks need to arrive within a certain timeframe for optimal health.
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Consider your storage space – D’Artagnan’s products will need freezer space if you’re not cooking them right away.
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Start small with live chickens – If you’re new to raising chickens, don’t order 25 birds your first time! Start with a small flock.
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Check local regulations – Some cities and HOAs have restrictions on keeping backyard chickens.
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Be prepared before ordering live chicks – Have your brooder set up before they arrive.
Making the Most of Your Online Chicken Purchase
For Cooking Enthusiasts:
If you’re ordering from D’Artagnan, you’ll want to make the most of your premium chicken. Their website has a recipe section that can give you ideas for preparing your chicken in ways that highlight its quality. I’ve found that simpler preparations often work best with high-quality meat – let the chicken’s natural flavor shine!
Try this simple roast chicken recipe that works beautifully with their Green Circle or Heritage chicken:
- Pat a whole chicken dry with paper towels
- Season generously with salt and pepper
- Stuff cavity with lemon halves, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs
- Roast at 425°F for about 1 hour (until internal temperature reaches 165°F)
- Let rest for 15 minutes before carving
For Aspiring Chicken Keepers:
If your ordering from Cackle Hatchery or Murray McMurray, remember that raising chickens is a commitment. These little fluff balls will grow into chickens that need daily care. However, the rewards of fresh eggs and knowing exactly how your food was raised are totally worth it!
My Personal Experience
I’ve ordered from all three of these retailers, and each has their strengths. When I want to impress dinner guests, I order D’Artagnan’s Heritage Green Circle Chicken – it honestly tastes like chicken used to taste when I was a kid visiting my grandparents’ farm.
For my small backyard flock, I started with six chicks from Cackle Hatchery three years ago. They arrived healthy and have been incredible egg producers. The customer service was excellent when I had questions about caring for them.
Murray McMurray’s equipment has been reliable and well-designed – I particularly love their feeders and waterers that reduce waste and keep the coop cleaner.
Final Thoughts
The internet has made it possible to access quality chicken products that used to be available only to restaurants or people living in rural areas. Whether your looking for gourmet cuts, specialty prepared chicken products, or live birds to start your own flock, there’s an online retailer that can meet your needs.
FAQs About Buying Chicken Online
Q: Is it safe to order raw chicken online?
A: Yes, when ordering from reputable companies like D’Artagnan. They ship with proper insulation and ice packs to maintain safe temperatures.
Q: How many chickens should I order for a backyard flock?
A: For beginners, 3-6 hens is usually manageable. Check local regulations as some areas limit flock size.
Q: What’s the difference between heritage and regular chicken?
A: Heritage chickens are traditional breeds raised more slowly and naturally, resulting in better flavor and texture compared to conventional fast-growing commercial breeds.
Q: Can I order just a few chicks, or do I need to order in bulk?
A: Both Cackle Hatchery and Murray McMurray offer small order options, though there may be additional fees for very small orders to ensure the chicks stay warm during shipping.
Q: How far in advance should I order baby chicks?
A: Popular breeds often sell out, especially for spring delivery. Ordering 3-6 months in advance is recommended, especially for specific delivery dates.
Have you ordered chicken online before? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Best for Chicken Sausage
Pros:
- Premium quality
- Sustainably raised
- Fully-customizable subscription boxes
- Shipping included in price
Cons:
- Requires a subscription
Good Chop is an online subscription butchery that brings high-quality free-range chicken from the farm to your front door. Everything they sell is raised responsibly without the use of hormones or antibiotics and is sourced from small farms in Nebraska and Iowa that are committed to using sustainable agricultural practices. The company offers two different sizes of fully customizable subscription boxes, which ship out every four weeks. You can pause or cancel at any time. Good Chop offers the following cuts of chicken:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs
- Organic boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Organic ground chicken
- Organic chicken wings, thighs and drumsticks
- Chicken wings and drumsticks
- Organic bone broth
Why should you buy chicken online?
Buy chicken online for an affordable way to get top-notch quality while beating the specialty store price tag. Because online retailers may buy and sell in bulk, there’s an opportunity to pass on the savings to the consumer. They’re not only able to provide competitive pricing, but they also tend to have a better selection than your local store. While most grocery stores don’t carry spatchcocked chicken or bone-in chicken breasts, you can find both of those items (and more!) using a chicken delivery service.
Many of the best places to buy chicken online also provide sustainable options. In addition, they list the chicken’s farm, feed and the environment on the farm. You’ll also have options when it comes to labeling, too, which is great if you’re looking for a specific type of chicken (i.e. organic, humanely raised, etc.).