Free-range poultry systems provide outdoor access but face specific welfare challenges including predation risk, poor range utilisation, and disease pressure at range edges.
Low range utilisation means many free-range hens gain minimal benefit from outdoor access. Fear of aerial predators keeps hens close to housing in some systems. Cover planting of trees and shrubs encourages range use and provides welfare benefits of natural behaviour. Outdoor disease pressure including avian influenza may temporarily require indoor housing.