You may have come across the term “pasture-raised” — but what does it really mean for animal welfare, environmental health, and the food you eat?

Unlike conventional or “free range” systems, where chickens are confined to sheds or fixed outdoor spaces, pasture-raised chickens roam freely on open land, and are regularly moved to fresh pasture. At Unison Farm, both laying hens and meat chickens enjoy this freedom, rotating daily across thriving paddocks. This allows them to express natural behaviors — scratching, dust bathing, foraging for insects — and live a low-stress, healthy life.

This daily movement also enhances soil health. As the chickens graze and fertilize with their manure, they regenerate the land, improving pasture quality, water retention, and carbon sequestration — all while producing nutrient-dense, flavour-packed eggs and meat. 

When buying eggs, many shoppers see labels like “free range” and “hens per hectare” — measurements that matter in stationary systems, where too many birds in one place can harm the land and the chickens. In these settings, overgrazed ground and accumulated manure become environmental and welfare concerns.

But at Unison Farm, those concerns are solved by a mobile, pasture-raised system. Laying hens live in moveable chicken caravans and are rotated regularly to fresh pasture. Instead of manure build-up, their waste becomes natural fertilizer, helping grass regrow and feeding soil microbes. The focus isn’t on how many hens per hectare — it’s about how long the land is rested and rejuvenated. The result: healthy pastures, happy hens, and eggs that truly taste better. 

The Nettleton family’s holistic, regenerative approach means every part of the farm works together — from beef cattle to chickens — to create a self-sustaining, nature-positive system. The pasture-raised meat chickens live active, stress-free lives, which results in tender, richly flavoured meat. Their pasture-raised eggs have deep golden yolks and the kind of taste you simply won’t find in supermarket eggs.

You can now enjoy the benefits of Unison Farm’s regenerative practices by purchasing their pasture-raised eggs and meat chickens through Dirty Clean Food — our platform that connects regenerative farmers with conscious consumers. Dirty Clean Food makes it easy to support farmers like Ewen Nettleton, who are healing the land while producing exceptional food.

By choosing to buy through Dirty Clean Food, you're not just getting the best tasting, most nutritious eggs and chicken — you're also supporting a healthier planet, ethical farming, and a more sustainable food future.