My definition is NOTHING like the USDAs definition, but I think its comparable to most BYC-ers. The USDA leaves MILES of loopholes for producers, so I dont ever believe it if it says so on an egg carton.
My hens pop out the pop door in the morning, and run around our 1 or so acre yard/woods with no confinement at all... head for the coop at eventide and get locked in for their own safety overnight.
Mine are free range all day, happy hens, no neighbors who care if they wander over, though they haven't yet. They COULD possibly get to the road with some effort, but don't as a rule... even then, it's a dead end, only slightly traveled road. Two Chihuahuas and an arthritic Shi tzu down the way, the Chihuahuas might actually chase them, but the Shi tzu and the chickens cordially ignore each other when he comes to visit.
If you have a pen or run, they are cage free while in there, and if you let them out to roam the yard when you get home from work etc, they are free range in the evening. Still extremely healthy for them, and safe too. Mine could be vulnerable, but its a choice I make been doing it for many many years with very few losses, so its working for me.
Also, if you have a tractor that is open enough so they get lots of access to grass and bugs and fresh air, that's still good IMO and probably most of us here agree it can be necessary for safety. Free range? well, not really, but if needs must, it's better than being locked in a dark barn.
//edit// did you all know that you can't spell that breed of dog properly here? the smut checker changes it to 'nonesense' LOL I broke the word into two segments so it would leave it alone, ( Shi tzu )
My hens pop out the pop door in the morning, and run around our 1 or so acre yard/woods with no confinement at all... head for the coop at eventide and get locked in for their own safety overnight.
Mine are free range all day, happy hens, no neighbors who care if they wander over, though they haven't yet. They COULD possibly get to the road with some effort, but don't as a rule... even then, it's a dead end, only slightly traveled road. Two Chihuahuas and an arthritic Shi tzu down the way, the Chihuahuas might actually chase them, but the Shi tzu and the chickens cordially ignore each other when he comes to visit.
If you have a pen or run, they are cage free while in there, and if you let them out to roam the yard when you get home from work etc, they are free range in the evening. Still extremely healthy for them, and safe too. Mine could be vulnerable, but its a choice I make been doing it for many many years with very few losses, so its working for me.
Also, if you have a tractor that is open enough so they get lots of access to grass and bugs and fresh air, that's still good IMO and probably most of us here agree it can be necessary for safety. Free range? well, not really, but if needs must, it's better than being locked in a dark barn.
//edit// did you all know that you can't spell that breed of dog properly here? the smut checker changes it to 'nonesense' LOL I broke the word into two segments so it would leave it alone, ( Shi tzu )
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