How long does it take to raise a chicken that chefs rave about? Nearly a year, if you do it right! Our Poulet Rouge® Heritage Chicken begins with carefully sourced breeder eggs from France’s heritage poultry lines—birds known for their signature featherless neck trait and exceptional culinary qualities. From there, through natural mating, careful incubation, and 12 full weeks (~84 days) of pasture-centered grow-out on our North Carolina farms, the result is a bird rich in flavor and rooted in tradition. Scroll the infographic to learn more about the journey of this special bird.
We begin with fertile eggs from traditional French Cou Nu breeder flocks—known for their featherless neck trait and rustic genetics. These eggs arrive at our hatchery in Winston-Salem, NC under strict care and handling to protect viability and future flavor.
Those hatchlings become breeder hens and roosters. For about 21 weeks, they grow slowly on a clean, all-vegetable diet, building strength for natural reproduction.
On our breeder farm, roosters and hens mate naturally—no artificial insemination. Strong, healthy genetics and low-stress care produce fertile eggs for the next generation of Poulet Rouge® chickens.
The hatching eggs spend 21 days in temperature- and humidity-controlled incubators. Our team carefully monitors the environment until each chick is ready to break shell.
Newly hatched broiler chicks are raised in spacious barns with access to fresh pasture and plenty of natural light. Over 12 full weeks (about 84 days)—double the life of conventional birds—they slowly develop the marbling and muscle structure that gives Poulet Rouge® its signature flavor.
Our birds are processed using a same-day air-chilling method, preserving flavor and texture without water absorption. The result: crisp skin, juicy meat, and a clean, chef-preferred finish.
This isn’t fast food. It’s slow-grown, chef-tested poultry with deep roots and even deeper flavor. From golden skin to tender meat, our Poulet Rouge® is proof that when you take your time, it tastes better.
Another AA for Joyce Farms! Our latest food safety score highlights the pride, care, and commitment that goes into every product we produce.
Food waste is a challenge across the food system—but there are practical ways to do better. On Stop Food Waste Day, we’re sharing how farms, chefs, and home cooks can make small changes that add up to lasting impact.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation, Asheville’s culinary community is coming together to offer more than just food. From hosting fundraising events to donating meals and resources, these chefs, restaurateurs, and food artisans are playing a vital role in relief efforts, feeding hope to those in need.
