Farm Animals

Poultry Range Quality and Hen Behavior

How the quality and design of outdoor range areas influences the welfare of free-range laying hens.

Key Facts

Most hens in free-range systems never use the outdoor range
Vegetation cover is key to hen willingness to use outdoor areas
Shade, shelter, and perches distributed in range areas increase use
High stocking in range areas leads to poaching and parasite buildup
Range quality standards are largely absent from most free-range certifications

Welfare Considerations

Free-range labeling implies better welfare but often delivers little benefit if range areas are poorly designed or managed. Hens confined to sheds despite nominally having range access are deprived of the welfare benefits the label implies.

What You Can Do

Ask producers about range quality and percentage of hens using outdoor areas
Advocate for range quality standards in free-range egg certification
Support initiatives to improve and monitor range use by laying hens