There are several reasons why homemade chicken stock is better than store-bought: freshness, flavor, cost and nutritional value. Because it is made with fresh ingredients that are cooked for a longer period of time, homemade chicken stock has a richer, more complex flavor than store-bought stock. It's also significantly less expensive to make stock than it is to buy it ready made in cartons or cans. Lastly, the bones in homemade stock release minerals, collagen and nutrients that are not present in store-bought stock.