Free-range egg production promises hens outdoor access, but the reality of outdoor use varies enormously between farms and depends on many management factors.
The welfare benefits of free-range production are real but often less than consumers assume. Hens in large flocks spend most of their time in the house due to competition for pop hole access and fear of the exposed outdoor environment. Farm design including tree planting, shelter structures, and multiple pop holes makes a substantial difference to actual range use.