Free-range farm flocks require careful management and balanced nutrition to guard against disease, parasites and injury.

Cages for laying hens were developed in the 1920s to reduce disease and injury. Prior to that time chickens were typically allowed outside to graze and feed and layer boxes were used to collect eggs. In the 1980s, international regulations began to restrict the use of cages for layers. Today, laying hens must be able to stand up, lie down, turn around and allowed to fully extend their legs and wings.  In the United States, free range means that birds have access to the outside.

When birds are allowed to be outside, the opportunity for disease and injury increases and biosecurity becomes an important issue. Following are recommended steps to reduce the incidence of disease in farm flock or free-range poultry operations:

• Isolate birds from visitors, other birds and animals
• Clean shoes, tools and equipment, vehicles and cages
• In areas that are high risk for avian influenza, under flyways or near wetlands, maintain outdoor enclosures covered with solid roofs and wire mesh or netted sides
• Exclude wild waterfowl from the free-range poultry area
• Provide feed and water for all non-confinement-raised poultry in an indoor area
• Prevent access to surface water that could become contaminated with wild bird excrement

_{*Source: USDA/APHIS Further Guidance on Biosecurity and Disease Prevention and Control for Nonconfinement Poultry Production Operations}

As free-range management systems have increased many diseases and management concerns have re-emerged. Some of the more common problems being observed with free-range poultry include the following:

• Vent pecking
• Cannibalism
• Predation
• Bacterial diseases (collibacillosis, Avian Intestinal Spirochaetosis)
• Internal parasites (Roundworms or nematodes, intestinal worms, cecal worms, coccidian)
• External parasites (lice & mites); and
• Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome

In most cases it is important to contact and work with a veterinarian or poultry specialist to determine what the problem is and a course of action required for preventing or treating further issues.

In many situations the problem is related to dietary inadequacies or deficiencies. Free-range poultry will perform better and have fewer problems when fed a complete balanced diet that provides correct levels of protein, energy, minerals and vitamins such as Hubbard Life Homestead poultry feeds.

In the case of cannibalism, a deficiency in protein, phosphorus or sodium is one of the root causes. All of the Homestead products provide a balanced diet that supplies the correct level of essential nutrients for optimal immune response and overall performance.

Information about the Homestead poultry products can be found on the Hubbard Life website, http://www.hubbardlife.com/Poultry.aspx.