what does free range chicken mean? We believe there are two definitions of free-range chickens.

Commercial Chicken Grower

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​To the world of commercial chicken raising. The USDA sets the standards for a chicken to be sold as free range. They say the chickens must be allowed access to some outdoor space. I know the words free range evoke images of chickens scratching through the grass of an open field, but this is just not the case in the commercial world. If the chickens only have access to a gravel yard, or just spend a few minutes with their doors open, they can be called free range birds.

 Rancher or Urban Backyard Chicken keeper

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​To the Rancher or urban backyard chicken keeper, this term has a whole different meaning. To us, it means our flock is allowed to be outside of a confined area for all or part of the day. It may be within a fenced pasture, in your backyard, or out in the open fields. But the flock is allowed to move around in nature at will ​Free range denotes a method of farming husbandry where the animals, for at least part of the day, can roam freely outdoors, rather than being confined in an enclosure for 24 hours each day.

Benefits of Free-Range Chicken
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​These chickens have not been given steroids or hormones, which keeps their eggs free of these harmful chemicals.  Chickens that are allowed to eat grass and bugs along with their food have healthier eggs.  Test have shown that eggs produced by chickens that are allowed to "free-range" and eat grass and bugs along with their regular diet will have:
  • 1/3 less cholesterol
  • 1/4 less saturated fat
  • 2 times more omega 3 fatty acids
  • 2/3 more vitamin E
  • 7 times more beta carotene
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​* Less Fat and Cholesterol.  1/3 Less Cholesterol,  1/4 Less Saturated Fat.
* More Vitamin A.  2/3 More.
 * More Vitamin E.  3 times more.
 * Omega-3 Fatty Acids.  ​7 times more beta carotene.