Farm Animals

Poultry Welfare and Free-Range Range Quality 2026

Free-range labelling requires outdoor access but range quality varies enormously, with significant welfare implications for hen behaviour.

Key Facts

Studies show 60-80% of free-range hens never use outdoor range areas
Range quality improvements including cover crops and shade structures increase usage to 40%
Hens spending time on range have lower feather pecking rates and better welfare scores
EU organic standards require a minimum vegetation cover of range areas
Certified range quality schemes with enhanced standards launched in the UK in 2026

Welfare Considerations

Free-range is not automatically high-welfare. Range quality - with shade, cover, and vegetation - determines whether outdoor access delivers real welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Choose free-range eggs with enhanced range quality certification
Support range quality improvement initiatives in the poultry sector
Advocate for range quality standards in free-range labelling requirements