What should a free run for chickens look like?

Poultry farming is one of the largest meat production sectors in the world, and the rearing of laying hens is an important part of this industry. However, with the growing interest in ethical issues related to food production, consumers are increasingly interested in knowing how the hens whose eggs they consume are kept. Therefore, ensuring good husbandry and welfare of laying hens has become a priority for producers, and compliance with relevant regulations and standards is the path to customer satisfaction.

The size of the run for laying hens is regulated by law and the requirements vary depending on the type of husbandry. The Animal Welfare Farming Ordinance stipulates a minimum of 4 square metres of outdoor space per hen in both free-range and organic husbandry – in line with EU regulation. However, 8-10 square metres of outdoor space per hen is recommended, which offers the hens more comfort, space to play and access to fresh grass.

By providing the chickens with a larger run, you also take care of your meadow. It doesn’t need as much recovery time when the chickens are scattered on it and you can soon put the mobile chicken coop back in the same area. Of course, it is important to change the location of the mobile chicken coop and run every 2 – 3 weeks.  However, if it so happens that the sward has been destroyed, it is worth re-seeding it. For this purpose, there are special grass mixtures for poultry runs that contain a high percentage of grasses that fill in the gaps quickly. It is important to fence off these areas at the outset so that dense grass can develop.

However, it is important to know that not only the size of the outdoor area is important, but also how it is managed. In free-range systems, the chickens must have unlimited access to the run during the day, from dawn to dusk.

It would be good if the area where the chickens are kept is overgrown with trees or bushes and, above all, well fenced. The fence should make it difficult for enemies of the chickens, such as foxes or martens, to enter, and the distance between the exit of the chicken coop and the run should not be more than 150 metres, unless you provide additional shelter for the hens, in which case it can be up to 300 metres. However, it is also important to remember that a large run without shelters will cause the hens to fear for their safety and therefore not use the space provided to them. Shelters do not have to be complicated constructions, but can be, for example, simple wooden roofs under which the hens seek protection from danger or too much sunlight.

It would be good if the space under the shelters was large enough for the hens to take their sand baths underneath, which contribute to the hygiene of their feathers. Artificial elements can also be used to structure the pasture. These have the advantage that the sward can regenerate, as they are movable. Different objects such as hutches, wagons, stretched tarpaulins, camouflage or windbreak nets as well as covered sand baths are suitable. If the choice of different structures is large, the chicken is more likely to find a suitable shelter for itself.

It is also important to ensure that in such a large free-range area, the laying hens have access to fresh water and adequate feed. The water should be clean and available at all times and the feed properly balanced. Other forms of food can also be used as a form of free-range play – such as a basket of cabbage or carrots.

In summary, good conditions for rearing laying hens are crucial for the health and welfare of these animals and for consumer satisfaction with the quality of the eggs. Farmers should comply with the relevant regulations on outdoor space size, land management, access to water and feed. This is the only way to ensure that chickens live in good conditions, which is reflected in the health and quality of the eggs and the satisfaction of the final consumers.