I agree with you about commercial chicken breeds. It is not right
There is a need for good, inexpensive food to make sure everyone can get it, but there must be a better way.
Like most folk, I can't afford top of the range organic, but I do read labels and try and buy the better welfare standard chickens. I don't eat meat every day, so I reckon I can stretch to it when I do. If I do buy eggs, they are always free-range, but I know they will still be from the same commercial breeds. I'm lucky to have the choice over that. If you are on a really tight budget, you have to buy what you can.
My lot are laying, but only 2 are young enough and they are sporadic. The other 2 are both over 8 years old and retired, which is not even close to commercially viable, even for their modest feed costs. I also have a lad who was rescued from the dreaded cull at a breeders. I don't breed chickens, so he is a complete freeloader. They are pets, but they are my responsibility, so they get the best life I can give them