A Visit to Greener Pastures Chicken: Seeing Pasture Raised Poultry Firsthand

At Pasture Provisions, we believe that knowing where your food comes from matters. That's why we make it a priority to visit the farms and ranches we partner with whenever possible.

Recently, we had the opportunity to visit our poultry supplier, Greener Pastures Chicken, located in Elgin, Texas. While their chickens are raised deep in the heart of Texas, the company's roots have a special connection to Colorado.

Greener Pastures was founded by Von Miller, Denver Broncos legend and Super Bowl 50 Champion, who earned a degree in Poultry Science before pursuing his NFL career. His vision was simple but ambitious: build one of the only certified organic and pasture-raised poultry operations serving the Southwestern United States.

While we always strive to source locally whenever possible, Colorado's climate presents significant challenges for year-round pasture-raised poultry production. Harsh winters, limited growing seasons, and access to USDA-certified processing facilities make consistent production difficult. Our partnership with Greener Pastures allows us to provide our customers with exceptional pasture-raised chicken throughout the year.

We had heard the Greener Pastures story many times through conversations with Paul and Cameron, the company's Co-CEOs. But seeing the farm firsthand brought everything together in a way words never could.

First Stop: The Brooder House

Our tour began with Sean, the Farm Operations Manager, who welcomed us at the farm's headquarters situated between the brooder house and their impressive new on-site processing facility.

The new USDA-certified processing plant represents a major investment for the company and reflects their commitment to controlling every stage of production. Once fully operational, it will improve animal welfare, reduce transportation stress for the birds, and significantly cut down on transportation miles by eliminating the need to haul birds to off-site processors and then transport finished products back to the farm.

From there, we entered the brooder house, where every Greener Pastures chicken begins its life.

The brooder house stretches roughly 400 feet and is carefully managed to create an ideal environment for newly arrived chicks. Fresh wood shavings cover the floor, heaters and fans regulate temperatures around 85 degrees, and lighting systems mimic natural daylight cycles. Roll-up side panels allow fresh air and natural light to enter while maintaining protection from the elements.

As the chicks grow, temperatures are gradually lowered to help them acclimate to outdoor conditions. During these first few weeks, they are carefully monitored by farm staff who ensure proper feed, water access, temperature regulation, and overall bird health.

The chicks receive a certified organic feed delivered through overhead auger systems and feeding trays designed to provide consistent access while preventing overcrowding.

For approximately three weeks, the birds live comfortably inside the brooder house, protected from weather and predators while they develop the strength and feathers needed for life on pasture.

Life on Pasture

After three weeks, the birds graduate to one of the most impressive parts of the operation: Greener Pastures' custom-built mobile chicken tractors.

These massive mobile coops stretch nearly 100 feet long and are designed to give chickens a true outdoor experience while keeping them safe from predators and harsh weather conditions.

Each structure features protective wire enclosures, roll-up sides for airflow, and removable shade cloths to shield the birds from the Texas sun.

The birds are divided among multiple tractors, ensuring they have ample space that exceeds pasture-raised certification standards.

Every morning, a bright red tractor slowly pulls each mobile coop forward onto fresh pasture.

This daily movement gives the chickens access to new grasses, seeds, insects, and forage while naturally distributing nutrients back into the soil through their manure.

It's a system that benefits both the birds and the land.

A Diverse Diet and Healthy Ecosystem

The pastures at Greener Pastures are a mix of native grasses, Bermuda grass, and rye grass. These fields are intentionally managed to encourage healthy plant growth and biodiversity.

As the chickens move across the landscape, they forage naturally on grasses, seeds, grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and countless other insects that provide valuable nutrients.

Even with abundant forage available, the birds continue to receive supplemental feed consisting of 100% certified organic corn, soy, grains, and alfalfa to ensure balanced nutrition throughout their growth.

This combination of natural foraging and organic feed helps create healthier birds while supporting a thriving ecosystem.

How Pasture-Raised Chicken Differs from Conventional Production

One of the most noticeable differences we observed is the pace of production.

At Greener Pastures, chickens are raised for approximately six to seven weeks before processing. Because they spend their days actively moving, foraging, and exploring pasture, growth occurs at a more natural rate.

In contrast, conventional poultry production—including many organic systems that do not provide pasture access—often raises birds entirely indoors and brings them to market weight in roughly four weeks.

The difference isn't simply about timing. It's about allowing chickens to express natural behaviors and live in an environment that more closely resembles how they were intended to live.

Closing the Loop

Another aspect of the operation that stood out to us was their commitment to reducing waste.

As bedding materials, hay, and other natural byproducts accumulate throughout production, they are collected and sent to a local company where they are transformed into compost and fertilizer.

Rather than becoming waste, these materials are returned to the agricultural system and put back to productive use.

It's another example of how thoughtful farming practices can create positive outcomes beyond simply producing food.

Why We Partner with Greener Pastures

We've always known Greener Pastures was doing something special. Their commitment to organic feed, pasture access, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship aligns closely with the values we hold at Pasture Provisions.

But after seeing the operation firsthand, our appreciation for their work grew even deeper.

From the carefully managed brooder houses to the daily movement of mobile chicken coops across lush pastures, every detail reflects a commitment to raising poultry the right way.

We're proud to partner with Greener Pastures and grateful to provide our customers with access to some of the finest pasture-raised chicken available.

Because when you know the people, the practices, and the care behind your food, every meal means a little more.