Where is the Range in "Free-Range"?

What is the definition of range exactly?  According to Webster's, range can be "an open region over which livestock may roam and feed" or "the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs" or "the act of ranging about".  For these laying hens above, which of these definitions apply?  I don't see a lot of roaming here since each hen has about 1 square feet of space.  If they move at all, it is towards the feeder or towards the waterers.  I know that chickens don't naturally live in large, football-field size buildings, so that definition is out.  So maybe it is the "act of ranging about", which doesn't really mean much except they are not kept seven to a cage, so maybe their short lives are marginally better.  It is possible they have a small outdoor area covered with gravel and surrounded by shade cloth or mesh fencing.  However, there is no feed or water outside, nor any growing vegetation, so why bother?  Maybe the chickens need a little Vitamin D from the sun or something....

Free-range currently has no legal definition in this country, therefor there are no standards.  Really any egg producer that doesn't cage their chickens could call their operation "free-range".  However, consumers think that free-range means the chickens are outside roaming about on grass and pasture.  If you think this word rings hollow, organic is just as bad.

Organic laying hens cannot be in cages and have to be fed organic feed from the second day of their life.  That is about it.  Even though they are supposed to have some undefined outdoor space, there is no definition as to the size, the amount of time that outdoor space has to be accessible, and whether or not the outdoor space has green vegetation, feed, or water in it.  According to Mark Keating, who formerly worked for the USDA National Organic Program for three years,

"Translating a written standard into a consistent set of practices in the field is challenging.  This is further illustrated by the range of conditions that different certifying agents allow for providing poultry with the required "access to the outdoors".  According to testimony at the latest National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting, the land that birds have access to is sometimes certified, but sometimes not.  On other farms, flocks are kept indoors their entire lives under a "temporary confinement" allowance.  Some of these operations don't even include the capacity for birds to go outdoors, indicating that temporary is indeed going to mean permanent."

When is the NOSB going to realize that consumers want the real deal and they want transparency. 

Now I'm sure your local farmers' market might have an egg vendor or two.  However, a lot of small-scale operations use a permanent outdoor area.  That means that after a couple weeks of chicken impact, there is nothing but dirt (& manure).  It is not exactly a healthy environment for the chickens.  So what you really want to look for are "Pasture-Raised" eggs the come from chickens on pasture.  To have well growing pasture, you have to periodically move your chickens so the vegetation has a time to rest and regrow.  Pasture-raised chickens, just like grass-fed beef and lamb, have naturally high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids, iron, Vitamin A, and a slew of other healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Most stores don't carry pasture-raised chicken eggs, so I recommend searching out your local farmers first.  Ask to see pictures of the operation so you can verify that the chickens are actually outdoors on pasture.  This may seem like a lot of work for an egg, but your body and the planet will thank you.

Comments

[Brigid Sweeney]

Great article. Thanks for writing this! I wanted to point out that all of the eggs with the "Animal Welfare Approved" label are Pasture raised eggs. For anyone interested in pasture-raised eggs please visit the online database of vendors for Animal Welfare Approved products - http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org/index.php?page=consumersmainpage

[Dalyn]

Now....this is why I raise my own chickens! Nasty!
Mine range on ten acres and my eggs really are free-range.

[David G.]

Your article goes to show the importance of getting to know who produces your food. And you will have a hard time doing that at the grocery store.

It is well worth the time to spend a Saturday or 3 at a farmers market and get to know the people that are selling there. You will know who is exploiting the latest buzz words and who is really trying to be good stewards and shepherds of thier product.

[Lisa]

This is why we keep chickens at home for our eggs and they are pastured on 10 acres 24/7. 8 chickens easily supply eggs for our entire family. That picture really drove home for me why I am glad we do. Not only for the health of the birds, but ewwww -- who really wants to eat something that came from conditions like that? Thanks for a great post.

[YayaOrchid]

This is such an excellent post. It very well drives the point home that we as consumers must be accountable (to ourselves)for ensuring that our food suppliers are legit when they claim free range or organis status. Accountable by researching and questioning where and how exactly our food is being raised. They of their own accord will not do it since there are no legal standards. But if we persist and refuse to buy their products when we find they are not up to par, the bottom line will have an effect on them. Thank you for keeping your finger on the issues.