Free range denotes a method of farming husbandry where the animals can roam freely outdoors for at least part of the day, rather than being confined in an enclosure for 24 hours each day. [1]

Free-range animals are animals that have some access to the outdoors. How much access, how often, and how big the outdoor area is can vary greatly. Free-range eggs come from hens that should have access to an outdoor area during the day.

While free-range and organic egg farms are technically supposed to give birds outdoor access, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has decided that “they may be temporarily confined” for “reasons of health, safety, the animal’s stage of production or to protect soil or water quality.”

Free-range farming refers to a method of raising chickens outside cages and confined spaces where they can engage in natural behaviors. Chickens raised on free-range farms have access to diverse food sources and are thus healthier and produce more nutritious meat and eggs.

Don’t be misled by packages of meat, eggs, and dairy “products” with pictures of happy animals running near quaint country barns and reassuring labels proclaiming “organic” or “free-range.”

2021年2月1日 · Your animals will be happier, healthier, and produce more if they're free ranging. But there's risks and drawbacks. A farmer shares what you need to know.

2023年3月3日 · According to the USDA, meat qualifies as “free-range” if the producers attest that the animals have continuous, free access to the outdoors for more than 50 percent of their lives.

2019年11月6日 · The term "free range" refers to food from animals that have access to outdoor spaces. It can also refer to animals who have free access to graze or forage for food.

Check out our comprehensive guide to understand the difference between Free Range vs pasture-raised vs cage-free, and what labels conscious consumers are choosing to purchase. Cage-free and Free Range eggs, in particular, tend to be misleading for consumers.

2010年3月9日 · Free-ranged animals, be it chickens, goats, pigs, or any other kind of critters, tend to be less likely to succumb to diseases related to confinement. These include viral and bacterial diseases as well as internal parasites.