How free-range access impacts poultry health, welfare

While some of poultry efficiency can be attributed to genetics and improvements in nutrition, bringing birds inside also improved production. “We were able to control their environment, and we were able to protect the animal,” Pescatore said. However, with the separation between farming and the general public continuously growing, there is an increased interest from consumers to better understand where their food comes from — hence the increased interest in free-range poultry production, he explained. Pescatore and his associates took an in-depth look at free-range access and whether or not it has an impact on animal welfare. Hens with outdoor access had lower plumage damage and a reduced incidence of footpad dermatitis compared to cage hens. Structural bone integrity was better, too. Free-range hens do have better bone integrity; however, that improved integrity is not enough to prevent fractures or keel-bone deformities, Pescatore explained.“As the birds have more access to move, they have more chance of flying, running into things and flying higher,” he said. These are all issues that can attribute to bone issues.