Let's Define the Term "Free Range"

[Wonky Pronk]

shelter and food.let em run around the yard during daylight hours

 

[centrarchid]

Free-range is a function of confinement and nutrition.


See picture below. Several of my American Dominiques roost in dog pen on left side of image. Otherwise they can come and go as they please. Hens lay eggs in fabricated nest placed in pen. They do get supplemental feed which does tighten up their ranging habits. Another flock roosts on front porch and seldom get supplemental feed and only protection they get is from dogs. Latter group ranges much further than dominiques in pasture. Latter flock also rears chicks free-range.



Currently pasture is pushing 4 feet high with moved paths for birds to use.