How free-range are free-range chickens?

Asked by: Emma Spratley, Newcastle-under-Lyme

UK regulations require free-range poultry to have access to the outside during daylight hours via ‘popholes’. Each bird needs to have at least 4m² of outside space. The indoor barn where the birds perch and lay eggs can have up to nine birds per square metre.

EU organic standards require lower densities of six birds per square metre in the barns, and maximum flock numbers of 3,000 birds. Under certain organic standards, beak trimming is not permitted, but this is allowed with free-range hens.

Read more:

• Is it possible for chickens to lay eggs in space?
• Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

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