The quality and use of outdoor range determines whether free-range labels deliver real welfare benefits.
Free-range certification guarantees outdoor access is available but not that hens use it. Large flocks of 16,000 birds with a single pop hole create range use bottlenecks. Hens near the shed entrance use range while those further in rarely venture out. Real outdoor welfare benefit requires pop holes distributed along shed length, attractive range with shade and cover, and flock sizes small enough for meaningful range use.