Free range chickens or pastured poultry is a prolonged farming technique that requires for the production of chickens on pasture, as contrary to indoor incarceration. The professed health advantages of free-range chickens and animals fed with grass archetypally, in totaling unsurpassed consistency and taste are the grounds for an enhancement in insistence for such products.
The idea of free range chickens was first introduced by Joel Salatin through his book, ‘Pastured Poultry for Profits’ and taught this technique at Polyface Farm. Later on, Andy lee and Herman Beck-Chenowith further elaborated on Salatin’s studies and advanced methods for the benefit of free-range chicken farmers.
In America, The American Pastured Poultry Association or APPPA was established to encourage pastured poultry. Its database of members comprises mainly farmers raising pastured poultry.
Although free-range chickens’ meat is enhanced by pasture implements, studies are still being conducted to disseminate lessened vitamin E components and fatty acid content.
Free-range chickens coops are typically manufactured from wood and scrap metal; sometimes white canvas and PVC pipes are also employed.
Pastured poultry is fast gaining momentum as it assists farmers to lower expenditure, whilst enhancing pasture fertility. Pastured poultry also encompasses turkeys, geese, guinea fowl, and ducks.