Free range

**Historical Evolution of Free Range Farming**:
– Free range was a common husbandry method until the development of barbed wire and chicken wire.
– Poultry farming relied on free range before the 1920s due to poor understanding of nutrition and diseases.
– Large commercial breeding flocks were reared on pasture until the 1950s.
– Nutritional science led to increased confinement of livestock species.
– Green feed and sunshine were essential for vitamin content before vitamin discovery.

**Regulations and Practices in the United States**:
– USDA regulations for free range poultry require outdoor access for over 51% of the animal’s life.
– Certified Humane Program certifies producers meeting standards like grass pastures.
– Free range is mainly used as a marketing term in the U.S.
– Lack of clear USDA labeling regulations leads to inconsistency in free range products.
– Consumer perception of free range may differ from producer practices.

**Global Regulations and Standards**:
– EU regulates marketing standards for egg farming, including minimum conditions for free-range hens.
– Proposed USDA requirements suggest continuous access to pasture for livestock.
– Different industry claims and categories are under USDA review for free range.
– EU classifies egg farming into 4 categories: Organic, Free Range, Barn, Cages.
– Animals must have outdoor access for at least part of their lives.

**Free Range Farming Practices in Different Countries**:
– UK is the largest free-range egg producer in Europe.
– Australia has increased demand for free-range eggs due to animal welfare concerns.
– Different standards for indoor and outdoor stocking densities exist in Australia.
– Free-range dairy cows graze for a minimum of 180 days and nights a year.
– No meat birds are raised in cages in Australia.

**Certifications and Industry Growth**:
– Free range and organic chicken account for about 16.6% of the poultry market value in Australia.
– Expected growth of up to 25% in the next 5 years.
– Different certifications like Egg Corp Assured, RSPCA Approved Farming, FREPA, and Humane Choice True Free Range exist.
– Specific regulations for laying hens and broilers but not for free-range pork.
– Compliance with standards is essential for maintaining consumer trust and ensuring ethical practices in the industry.