Unlike the terms free range and organic, pasture raised is not a legally protected definiton across the UK. Despite the term being unregulated, it is an increasingly used description used by brands to advertise their chicken and eggs.
In short, the term is used when referring to chickens that are raised for the majority of their lives outdoors in natural pastures. Such access to grassland allows pasture raised chickens to forage naturally for seeds, plants and insects. Pasture raised chickens can also be given supplemental feed as part of their diet.
Birds may benefit from rotational grazing, aka where the pasture is gently moved or even rotated to prevent overgrazing in certain spots, allowing the land to recover. Rotational grazing is a regenerative practice so can appeal to those looking to make more sustainable purchases.
Birds are provided with mobile shelters or coops for protection from weather and predators and their foraging diet can be supplemented with a non GMO or organic based grain mix.
Far fewer birds hectare are housed together than conventional or even free range standards and natural behaviours such as scratching, dust bathing, and perching are subsequently observed and encouraged.
Free range vs pasture raised
When a term is legally defined and certified when necessary, there is a robust process that must be followed. For example, there are regular inspections, audits, third party verification and penalties for misuse of such terms. As pasture raised is currently not a protected term, to avoid greenwashing, it is best to research the brand itself and find out more about their particular farming practices and what they personally constitute as pasture raised. With this information you can then make the most informed choice about the eggs and poultry you consume.
In terms of their environment, the birds are described to have continuous or daily access to their pastures unlike free range birds which allow some access in combination with indoor housing.
Pasture raised eggs
Alike pasture raised chicken, across the UK, “pasture raised eggs” has no legal definition, unlike free range and organic eggs which meet a specific set of criteria. In theory, pasture raised eggs are produced from hens who benefit from outdoor rotational pasture, the opportunity to naturally forage and lower stocking density leading to higher welfare.
Pasture raised eggs UK supermarket
At present, it’s quite hard to reliably find “pasture raised eggs” labelled in UK supermarkets and most eggs simply use the official terms of free range or organic when trying to appeal to those looking for higher ethical and nutritional standards.
