What do you consider "free range?"

I can see Beekissed side of the question. For me, my three birds live in a large run that has grass, bugs and fresh air. Every day they get to come out and play in the larger yard for some period of time. Due to where we live, land restrictions and my unwillingness to face predators, they can't just roam willy nilly. That might not be strictly "free range" but it's close enough for me.
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I have to keep my wishes within the city ordinances so my birds free range but with a perimeter fence so to keep the piece with my roo tolerant neighbors to the west and to keep my girls from ending up in the stew pot with my neighbors to the east. I know 'free range' has a totally different meaning for commercial bird eggs marketed as such. Fat, happy, healthy and laying eggs is the best measure of my cluckers' well-being.

Maybe take a vote and go with the results. Think DH would like that?
 
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The area I have actually needs to be mowed every week. My 50 birds just cannot keep up. I have then penned so they have access to fruit trees and bushes. They have been eating Mulberrys and rasberrys all month. In about a week the netting will be shifted so they can have access to 10 huge plum trees and will be getting fresh corn when it comes on. So even thought there is a 'predator' fence I consider them to be ranged.

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No tractor could allow even one bird the amount of fresh grass, bugs and fruit my birds can get to on a daily basis. Even though they are 'confined' to an area for a week or two at a time.

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Movable temporary poultry netting in my book used to keep your birds safe straddles the free range fence IMHO. I'd love to let them run all day everyday. But if I did in no time I'd have none left.

I agree with Beekissed on several points most significant is that if the birds denude an area and are not allowed to range to new pasture or the confinement is not moved then they are in a confinement poultry setup. My birds are free to explore 3,500 -4000 square feet at a time and seem to be over whelmed by the grass and bugs. I have to move them so I can mow the area they are in because they don't keep up.
 
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I'm a total newbie to chickens........................mine are just 10 days old and eating like they are starving.
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I plan on "free ranging" my chickens. I live on 6 acres and have two dozen chicks. But to me, the term "free range" means they can pack their bags and leave anytime they want. I've a well built coop and a 7' x 16' enclosed run where they will spend their nights safely away from predators. But during the day, the gate will be open. If I'm not nice to them, they won't come home at night. To me, at least, THAT'S free range!
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I have 2 egg cartons from Island Gold Producers in British Columbia. This is what it says on the lid:
Free Run - produced by hens fed a special diet of all natural grains free of pesticides, herbicides (blah, blah, blah). The hens are free roaming in wide open concept barns with nests.

Free Range - free to roam in weather sheltered barns and have access to outdoor pasture areas. These conditions allow our free range hens to roost, perch, nest and feed.

The cynic in me sees lots of stuff to pick apart in these definitions.
 
Commercially the term "Free Range" means almost nothing. It might only mean that the barn the chickens are packed in has a small fenced area where a few birds can get some sun. Perhaps "Pasture Raised" has more relevance in terms of the diet and overall health of the flock.
 
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I agree. What the commercial egg industry calls free range, organic, pasture raised or any other of those buzz words is a joke.
I let my chickens out of their coop in the morning. They range anywhere they want on 80 acres. They come back to their coop at night to be locked up, safe from predators.
I have to mow the area directly surrounding their coop because they never hang around there long enough to make a dent in the grass and weeds that grow. Their favorite area is directly behind and thru a fence from their coop. It's full of brush and young trees. To me, they are free range.
 

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