Farm Animal Welfare

Poultry Range Quality and Vegetation Management

The quality of outdoor range for free-range poultry significantly affects whether birds actually access outdoor areas and the welfare benefits they receive.

Key Facts

Bare, unvegetated ranges are avoided by free-range hens who prefer overhead cover
Woodland and shrub cover increases range utilisation from under 20% to over 80% in studies
Sequential grazing management maintains vegetation quality through rest and recovery periods
Range rotation reduces parasite burdens that accumulate under heavily used areas
Well-utilised range provides exercise, dust bathing, and natural foraging opportunities

Welfare Considerations

Range quality determines whether free-range systems deliver their welfare potential. Barren, exposed ranges fail to attract hens, meaning birds gain none of the welfare benefits of outdoor access while still being marketed as free-range. Vegetation management is a key welfare obligation.

What You Can Do

Advocate for range quality standards in free-range poultry certification schemes
Support retailers requiring producers to monitor and improve range utilisation rates
Choose eggs from farms with demonstrated high range utilisation and good vegetation cover