Where to Buy Chicken in Bulk Near Me: The Complete Guide to Saving Money on Poultry

Are you tired of paying premium prices for chicken at the grocery store? Maybe you’ve got a big family to feed, or you’re meal prepping like crazy. Whatever your reason, buying chicken in bulk can save you serious cash. I’ve been there – standing in the meat section, wincing at those price tags. That’s why I’ve put together this ultimate guide to finding the best bulk chicken deals near you.

Why Buy Chicken in Bulk?

Let’s face it – chicken prices aren’t what they used to be. When you buy in bulk:

• You can save up to 50% per pound compared to regular store prices
• You’re supporting local farmers and businesses
• You get better quality meat in many cases
• You reduce packaging waste
• You’ll always have protein on hand for meals

Local Butcher Shops: Your Secret Weapon

Local butchers like Bringhurst Meats offer incredible bulk chicken options that many people don’t know about. At Bringhurst, you can purchase conventional chicken by the case at significant discounts:

• Whole fryers: $1.74/lb by the case vs. $2.49/lb store price
• Chicken legs: $1.00/lb by the case vs. $1.89/lb store price
• Bone-in breasts: $2.44/lb by the case vs. $4.89/lb store price
• Wings: $2.24/lb by the case vs. $4.59/lb store price
• Boneless breasts: $2.55/lb by the case vs. $5.19/lb store price

Most butcher shops offer case sizes around 40 pounds, which is perfect for families or anyone with adequate freezer space. But wait – there’s more! Many butcher shops also offer additional services like:

• Cutting pieces to your specifications
• Wrapping in butcher paper
• Special preparations (like Italian style butterflied breasts)

Finding Pasture-Raised Bulk Chicken

If quality is your main concern pasture-raised chicken is worth seeking out. The American Pastured Poultry Producers Association has a “Get Real Chicken” directory that connects consumers with local farmers.

Using their search tool you can filter for

• Chicken varieties (standard or heritage)
• Eggs (chicken, duck, or goose)
• Other poultry (turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl)
• Delivery options (home delivery, farm pickup, farmers markets)
• Feed types (organic, non-GMO, soy-free, corn-free)

How to Use the Farm Finder

1. Search for your town or city
2. Zoom out on the map until farms appear
3. Contact farms directly through their profiles
4. Ask about bulk purchasing options

Many pasture-raised chicken farmers offer significant discounts when you purchase whole birds by the dozen or half-dozen. Some even offer “chicken shares” similar to CSA programs.

Comparing Conventional vs. Premium Chicken Options

When buying in bulk, you’ll need to decide what quality level meets your needs and budget. Bringhurst Meats offers both conventional chicken and Gerber Amish Farms All Natural Chicken

Here’s a quick comparison of case prices:

While the premium option costs more, many customers feel the quality difference is worth it. The Amish Farms chicken is raised without antibiotics and tends to have better flavor and texture.

How Much Freezer Space Do You Need?

Before you rush out to buy 40 pounds of chicken, let’s talk practicality. You’ll need adequate freezer space to store your bulk purchase. Here’s a rough guide:

• Standard refrigerator freezer: Can handle about 10-15 pounds of meat
• Small chest freezer (5 cubic feet): Can store about 40-50 pounds
• Medium chest freezer (10 cubic feet): Can store about 100 pounds
• Large chest freezer (15+ cubic feet): Can store 150+ pounds

I learned this the hard way when I bought my first bulk chicken order and realized my freezer was way too small! Consider investing in a dedicated freezer if you plan to make bulk purchasing a regular habit.

Tips for Processing and Storing Bulk Chicken

When your bulk chicken arrives, you’ll need a plan. Here’s what works for me:

1. Set aside processing time. Plan for 1-2 hours to package everything properly.

2. Gather supplies:

   • Freezer bags or vacuum sealer with bags
   • Permanent marker
   • Kitchen scale (optional but helpful)
   • Cutting board and sharp knife
   • Disposable gloves

3. Package smartly. Divide meat into meal-sized portions for your family.

4. Label everything. Include:

   • Cut of meat
   • Weight
   • Purchase date

5. Use the oldest chicken first. Rotate your stock so nothing goes to waste.

Properly stored chicken can last 9-12 months in a good freezer without losing quality. Vacuum-sealed packages last even longer.

Special Ordering and Custom Processing

Many butcher shops and farmers offer special ordering options for bulk chicken. At Bringhurst Meats, for example, you can request:

• Fryers split in half or cut into parts
• Whole legs cut into drums and thighs
• Bone-in breasts split in half
• Boneless breasts fileted in half
• Italian style preparation (butterflied and flattened) for an additional $0.50/lb

Custom processing usually adds a small fee but can save you tons of time. It’s worth asking what options are available when placing your order.

Beyond Basic Chicken: Specialty Options

While standard chicken is the most economical choice, don’t overlook specialty options:

Heritage Breeds

Heritage chicken breeds offer exceptional flavor but cost more. The Get Real Chicken directory can help you find local heritage chicken farmers. These birds are typically raised with traditional farming methods and have a more distinct flavor.

Organic Options

Both certified and uncertified organic chickens are available from many sources. The Get Real Chicken directory lets you filter specifically for organic options, while many butcher shops now carry organic lines.

Special Diet Considerations

If you’re following a specific diet or have food sensitivities, look for chicken raised on specialized feed:

• Soy-free feed (for those with soy allergies)
• Corn-free feed
• Non-GMO feed

The Get Real Chicken directory makes it easy to filter for these specific attributes.

Creative Ways to Use Your Bulk Chicken

When you’ve got 40 pounds of chicken, you need a plan! Here are some ideas:

Batch Cooking

Spend one day cooking multiple chicken dishes for the freezer:

• Chicken soup base
• Shredded chicken for tacos, salads, etc.
• Marinated chicken breasts
• Pre-made chicken casseroles

Specialized Preparation

• Make your own chicken stock from backs and necks
• Prepare and freeze homemade chicken nuggets
• Create ready-to-cook marinated packs

Meal Planning

Create a 4-week meal rotation using different chicken cuts each week:

• Week 1: Whole chickens
• Week 2: Breast-focused meals
• Week 3: Thigh and drumstick meals
• Week 4: Wings and specialty dishes

Where Else to Look for Bulk Chicken

Don’t limit yourself to just butcher shops and farms. Consider these options too:

• Restaurant supply stores: Many are open to the public
• Wholesale clubs: Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s
• Ethnic markets: Often have better prices on whole birds
• Grocery store meat departments: Ask about case pricing
• Online meat delivery services: Many offer bulk options with home delivery

The Bottom Line: Is Buying Chicken in Bulk Worth It?

Let’s do some quick math. Using Bringhurst’s pricing:

Regular store price for boneless chicken breasts: $5.19/lb
Case price: $2.55/lb
Savings: $2.64/lb

On a 40lb case, that’s a savings of $105.60!

Even with the cost of a small freezer (about $200), you’d recoup your investment in just two bulk chicken purchases.

For my family, buying chicken in bulk has been a game-changer. We eat better quality meat, spend less time shopping, and our grocery bill has gone way down. But it does require planning and adequate storage.

Final Tips for Bulk Chicken Buying Success

1. Start small if you’re new to bulk buying. Try a 10-20 pound purchase first.

2. Build relationships with local farmers and butchers – they often reserve their best deals for regular customers.

3. Split an order with friends or family if storage is an issue.

4. Keep track of prices so you know a good deal when you see it.

5. Don’t forget variety. Buying different cuts prevents meal boredom.

Bulk chicken buying has literally changed how I approach food shopping and meal planning. My freezer stays stocked, my wallet stays fuller, and my family eats well. Whether you choose conventional or pasture-raised, a local butcher or farm-direct, buying chicken in bulk is one of the smartest food shopping decisions you can make.

Ready to start saving? Check out Bringhurst Meats or use the Get Real Chicken directory to find local options near you. Your wallet (and your tastebuds) will thank you!

For 50 people, you should plan for 25-50 pounds of chicken, depending on the type of event.