Preface – This document defines the standards of the Free Range Egg & Poultry Association of Australia Inc. These standards require a higher order of animal friendliness than the National Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals – Domestic Fowl and the Land Transport of Poultry and must be met by all members.

Practice Definition – Free Range poultry relates to a commercial and sustainable land use poultry system (not shed barn and cage systems). This system allows an un-mutilated hen the maximum ability to follow its natural behaviour. This system of lower stocking densities differentiates it from the other more intensive production systems that argue the need and practice beak mutilation..  

Section 1 - Housing  

1.1 Hens must have permanent access to weatherproof housing with either slatted, mesh or deep litter floors along with sufficient perches to enable normal roosting for all birds.  

1.2 Stocking density in housing shall not exceed 15 kg per square meters of usable area.  

1.3 Maximum flock numbers per house shall not exceed 2,500 hens.  

Section 2 – Feeders and Drinkers   

2.1 Adequate drinking facilities containing potable water must be available at all times.. Under extremely high temperature conditions the hens must have access to additional cool drinking water, shade and other “keep cool” types of environmental relief.               

2.2 Clean dry feed comprising only natural products, grains and natural sources of  vitamins and minerals must be used. If meat by-products are included in the diet they must be heat-treated.                                                                          

Section 3 – Free Range Run.  

3.1 The maximum stocking density must be sustainable and in any case not exceed 1,000 hens per hectare.  

3.2 Hens must have unrestricted access to the free-range run during the daylight hours.  

3.3 The area where the hens are permitted to range shall have adequate water provisions along with shade/wind/predator protection. Range must be capable of long-term sustainability with adequate natural ground cover. If vegetation disappears under adverse seasonal conditions then alternative natural  foraging must be provided until ground cover can be re-established.  

Section 4 – Husbandry Practices.  

4.1 All bird mutilation practices are unnecessary at the stated stocking densities and are prohibited. (Beak trimming,).  

Section 5 – Bio security and General Requirements.  

5.1 Membership organizations must have provisions in place that demonstrate egg collection, cleaning, candling, storage and transport compliant temperature and hygiene provisions to their respective State Food Safety provisions and Codes of Practice. Only new correctly labelled egg packaging must be promoted.  

5.2  Membership organizations must have audit trail type provisions in place that can demonstrate that its registered farms eggs are genuine free range. 

5.3 Bio-security registration and age dated vaccination certificates are required to State & National Regulations.