Farm Animal Welfare

Hen Free-Range Range Quality and Welfare

Free-range egg systems often provide poor-quality outdoor range that few hens actually use, limiting welfare benefits.

Key Facts

Studies show only 15-20% of free-range hens regularly use outdoor range
Range quality including cover, vegetation and proximity to housing determines uptake
Shading, shelter and scattered foraging opportunities increase range use
Feather pecking and aggression are higher in systems with poor range utilisation
Certification standards for range quality vary widely across schemes

Welfare Considerations

A free-range label does not guarantee hens access outdoor range or benefit from it. Range quality - specifically the availability of cover, interest and safe zones - determines whether outdoor access translates into genuine welfare benefit.

What You Can Do

Look for higher-tier welfare certifications specifying range quality standards
Support brands committed to improving range quality and demonstrating use
Advocate for certification standards that require documented range utilisation