Welfare issues affecting free-range laying hens

Abstract

Free-range laying hen production systems take a step down a different path in the progression of domestic chicken farming. They take hen groups away from intensive, environmentally controlled, indoor housing and put them back outdoors to provide flocks with more natural, minimally controlled surroundings. Consumers prefer the concept of free-range production, particularly in countries where weather allows outdoor access for most of the year (e.g. Australia, Denmark, the United Kingdom), as these systems are viewed as more natural and ethical (Schröder and McEachern, 2004). Free-range systems are thus rapidly increasing in popularity to meet consumer demand. However, highly productive modern genotypes, selected for cage production, are harder to manage in large flocks and outdoor environments with limited control of environmental conditions. Research into the behaviour, health and welfare of birds in non-cage environments has increased in recent years. Unfortunately, in some cases, a high risk of poor outcomes for hens kept in non-cage and especially free-range conditions has been identified (Fossum et al., 2009; Sherwin et al., 2010; Elson, 2015; Weeks et al., 2016). To sustainably improve free-range housing and management, we must understand how hens behave in these systems, the welfare challenges they face and what modifications will, in practice, adequately address hens' needs.