Free-range egg labelling implies outdoor access, but the reality varies significantly between producers and standards across different certification systems.
Free-range labelling can mislead consumers if range quality and actual usage rates are low. Welfare benefit depends on hens actually accessing the range, which requires tree cover, vegetation, and feeding points distributed outdoors. Meaningful outdoor access provides positive welfare benefits through foraging, sun exposure, and exercise. Higher-welfare free-range goes beyond minimum space and provides genuine behavioural opportunity.