The quality of outdoor range in free-range egg systems dramatically affects the welfare benefit delivered — yet range quality receives little attention in certification standards.
The welfare benefit of free-range systems depends entirely on whether hens actually use the outdoor range provided. A free-range hen who never leaves the house has no welfare advantage over a barn hen. Range use requires investment in range quality — vegetation cover providing shelter from aerial predators, shade from summer heat, and a graduated transition from building to open range. Without these features, free-range is an outdoor area that most hens decline to use, rendering the welfare claim hollow.