There seems to be a common misconception that free-range and free-run chickens are the same thing. Although there are similarities between the two, there is one major factor that differentiates one from the other. While both free-range and free-run chickens live in open-concept barns, free from living in a battery cage, only free-range chickens have any access to the outside. In theory this will allow a chicken to live a more "natural" life but in Canada there is little to no requirements regarding the size or conditions of the outside enclosure. It is encouraged that free-run chickens get 144 square inches per chicken but farmers must meet the regular standards of 67 square inches per chicken. This means that there is often no shade from the sun or barricades against cold winds and the flock may never utilize their access to the outdoors.
Laura Bluck, a teacher of Agricultural Production at Olds College, says when the free-range chickens do take advantage of their outdoor pass, their eggs tend to be a little more orange than others due to ingestion of bugs and dirt that free-run or caged birds would not have access to. Hence, a major issue for producers of free-range chickens is biosecurity. When allowed outside, exposure to diseases such as Newcastle Disease or Avian flu carried in wild bird droppings increases.
Within the barns, chickens have nesting boxes where they can lay their eggs privately; a natural tendency for laying hens. They also have increased mobility around the barn contrary to a battery cage, leading to the occasional hen laying eggs on the ground. "Ground eggs" cannot go to market, and thus production costs increase. This increase in costs are the why 97% of eggs are from chickens housed in battery cages.
There is also no finite proof that the nutrient content of the eggs is any different when comparing free-range/free- run eggs to those from caged hens. The main selling point of free-range/free-run farming focuses around the welfare and treatment of the birds. Susan Gall of the Alberta Egg Producers says "A lot of time and money has been put towards bringing to the forefront how the chickens are raised. PETA being a huge driver in this agenda, more so in Ontario than Alberta though." And despite higher production costs, Gall states the "reasons for changing an operation are to follow market signals and pressure from activist groups and graders."
An additional problem found within an open-concept barn is that chickens have been bred to live within battery cages. The environment within the barn can be highly stressful if the producer does not create an adaptable atmosphere. In some cases high stress levels have lead to low growth rates and cannibalism.
Although there are various housing styles for poultry, animal welfare is taken into account no matter how the chickens are raised. And no one can deny how good it tastes to have a healthy egg in the morning whether it’s from a free-run chicken, a caged hen or a free-range chicken.
-Mark Lyseng, Chelsea Geiger, Heather de Boer and Charissa Scott
