Farm Animal Welfare

Hen Welfare in Free-Range Systems

Free-range systems offer significant welfare benefits over caged systems but present challenges including range utilisation, outdoor health risks, and flock management at scale.

Key Facts

Fewer than 50% of free-range hens regularly use outdoor range in many commercial flocks
Range enrichment with trees and shelters significantly increases outdoor access
Keel bone fractures affect over 50% of free-range hens due to flying from perches
Parasites including red mite and internal worms pose greater challenges outdoors
Free-range hens show more natural behaviour but require better management to achieve welfare benefits

Welfare Considerations

Free-range systems provide the opportunity for natural behaviour expression, but potential welfare benefits are not automatically realised without good management. Range utilisation, disease management, and housing design all critically affect whether welfare outcomes exceed those of well-managed indoor systems.

What You Can Do

Choose eggs from farms with genuine range enrichment and high utilisation rates
Support research into free-range management practices that maximise welfare outcomes
Advocate for free-range certification schemes to include range utilisation monitoring