Can I call my chickens free range?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The USDA definition of 'Free Range' means the meat birds have access to the outdoors, it does not specify a duration, the amount of space or even the type of ground they have access to... So opening the door for 5 minutes and letting them peck on the cement sidewalk (if one bothers to come out at all) would technically fulfill the legal requirements of free range for every bird in the coop whether they came out or not... Also note this is only in regards to 'meat' birds and doesn't legally apply to laying hens or the eggs...

Basically as far as eggs are concerned 'free range' means absolutely nothing, beyond the warm fuzzy feeling it gives some people...

So fee free to call yours free range, they likelly have more 'free range' then most commercial hatcheries birds do...

said very well, something I apparently am having trouble doing tonight, and I still don't like DE, because it can damage your lungs, and your chickens lungs, again my opinion.

 

[skeezix05]

Thank you everyone! The more information and opinions the better in my book I'm learning a lot and love having my chickens run around. Tonight I turned around and one was right behind me as I finished watering my garden she was in it