"Howard Neil" h.neil@whichREMOVE TO REPLY.net wrote in message
news:TMrK9.1018$h43.131650@stones...

I would also like terms such as "freerange" to be defined in the way that
the average person perceives it. Currently the definition is:

Free range eggs:


Ø the maximum stocking density is not greater than 1,000
hens/hectare
of ground available to the hens, or one hen/10 sq.m

The main problem I have with the above relates to the ground available to
each hen. Since chickens eat insects, small mammals (I have witnessed more
than one chicken eat the odd mole), etc., 10 sq.m. is just not enough area
for each chicken.

That's absolutely true (I've seen our hens eating mice). But even the
vegetation on such an area won't last long either, even with added greenery
given the hens will make their 10 sq m bald in no time.

For most people, the term freerange means that the chicken
has ample area to support itself in food.

Yes.

Mary

Regards

Howard Neil