Free Range Chicken  
 
 
 
 
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL  
STANDARD  PNS/BAFS  
ICS  
 
BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES STANDARDS  
BPI Compound Visayas  Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines  
Phone (632) 928 -8741 to 64 ; loc. 3301 -3319  
E-mail: info.dabafs @gmail.com  
Website: www.baf s.da.gov.ph  
 
Draft copy only  PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
Working Draft 3.0  
For public consultation  
 
 2 1 SCOPE  1 
 2 
This standard establishes the minimum requirements for free range chicken production, 3 
and covers the methods of production , harvesting  and marketing of chicken and chicken 4 
products labeled as free range.  5 
 6 
This code c overs both commercial and backyard production of free  range chicke n. 7 
 8 
 9 
2 REFERENCES  10 
 11 
The titles of the standard publications and other references of this Code are l isted on the 12 
inside back cover.  13 
 14 
 15 
3 DEFINITION OF TERMS.  16 
 17 
For the purpose of this Code, the definitions specified in the Philippine National Standard 18 
Code of Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Chickens – Broilers and Layers shall apply.  19 
 20 
Other relevant definitions are as follows : 21 
 22 
3.1 Backyard farm  23 
Refers to any farm or household raising at least one had of animal or bird and dose not 24 
qualify as a commercial farm  25 
 26 
3.2 Broiler   27 
Refers to domestic chickens reared for consumption of their meat  28 
 29 
3.3 Commercial farm  30 
Refers to any farm which, for poultry chicken, satisfies at least one of the following 31 
conditions: a) 500 layers or 1,000 broilers, or b) 100 layers and 100 broilers if raised in 32 
combination  33 
 34 
3.4 Free Range   35 
Refers  to a system of production  that raises chickens in a confined environment while 36 
allowing the birds to exhibit their natural behavior and allowing them  access to forage, 37 
grasses, insects, and sunlight.  Free range production may be further classified into  38 
 39 
a. Pasture Raised   40 
Refers to a  method of production  where adult birds are kept on pasture 12 months 41 
of the year, in an outside area that is mainly covered with living vegetation. The 42 
birds have access to the pasture through exits from fixed or mobile houses, and 43 
covered verandas if pre sent. They are kept indoors at night for protection from 44 
predators but it is prohibited to keep them continually indoors 24 hours per day 45 
without access to pasture for more th an 14 consecutive days.  46 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 3  47 
b. Traditional free range   48 
Refers to a method of production  that exceeds the minimum requirements (e.g. 49 
harvest age) for free range production.  50 
 51 
3.5 Layer hens  52 
Refers to domestic chickens reared for consumption of their eggs.  53 
 54 
3.6  Native chicken  55 
Refers to chickens found in one geographical location that develope d unique physical 56 
characteristics, behavior, product attributes adapted to the local environment and are 57 
products of selection with no infusion of exotic breeds for at least five (5) generations   58 
 59 
 60 
4 GENERAL PRINCIPLES  61 
 62 
4.1. Free range refers to a system of animal production or husbandry that rears 63 
chickens in a manner that allows the birds access to vegetation and sunlight for a 64 
minimum perio d.  65 
 66 
4.2. This type of animal farming addresses both the physiological and behavioral needs 67 
of the animals, thereby minimizing stress, and promoting  the he alth and welfare of 68 
the animals . 69 
 70 
4.3. The general principles and minimum requirements stated in the Philippine 71 
National Standard Code of Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Chickens – 72 
Broilers and Layers, as well as other  animal farming and related environment al 73 
laws and regulations, must also be complied with.  74 
 75 
 76 
5 OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES OF GOOD ANIMAL H USBANDRY PRACTICE FOR 77 
CHICKENS  78 
 79 
5.1 Overarching principles for good farming of chickens are presented in the 80 
Philippine National Standard Code of Good Animal Husbandry Practices for  81 
Chickens – Broilers and Layers. The practices and requirements stated therein  82 
should be complied with .  83 
 84 
5.2 Particular attention should be paid to  the provisions regarding : 85 
 86 
(1) Animal housing (sec tion 5.1.4) : “Chickens should be provided with sufficient 87 
floor space/size suitable for their age, body weight and size to ensure 88 
comfort to the chickens. Chickens should be provided with appropriate 89 
space to feed and drink comfortably. The feeding and dri nking equipment 90 
and facilities should conform with the standards/requirements for each 91 
species and should be constructed and conspicuously placed such that 92 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 4 chickens are allowed to eat and drink freely, allowing them to behave 93 
normally; and contamination wi th chicken feces and urine is prevented,”  94 
and,  95 
 96 
(2) Feeds and Veterinary Inputs (section 5.2.1) : “Feeds and veterinary inputs 97 
should be used in accordance with label instructions, paying special 98 
attention  to the withdrawal period of each specific drug being ad ministered 99 
before the chickens and/or eggs are sent to market.”  100  
 101  
 102  
6 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS  103  
 104  
Additional requirements specific to free range chicken production are as follows:  105  
 106  
6.1. Breeds  107  
 108  
Only strain s or breeds that are available and suited for free range production  should be 109  
used. Examples are found below: (See Annex A for pictures of  free-range and native chicken 110  
breeds .) 111  
 112  
Broiler  Pure: Rhode Island, Barred Plymouth Rock, Cornish  
Hybrid: SASSO, HUBBA RD- GRIMUAD  
Layers  Pure: Leg horns (brown and white), Rhode Island, Barred 
Plymouth Rock, Sussex  
Hybrid: Dominant, Dekalb Brown, Hy -line Brown, Shaver 
Brown, Bovans Brown, Lohmann Brown, ISA Brown  
Native Chicken  Paraoakan, Banaba, Darag, Joloanon, Camarines, Bolinao, 
Boholano, Zampen  
 113  
6.2. Flock size  114  
 115  
Flock size should not exceed 5,000 birds per house with a maximum of 20,000 116  
birds per site.  117  
 118  
6.3. Indoor housing or building  119  
 120  
6.3.1.  Indoor Stocking Density   121  
 122  
The indoor sto cking density should not exceed the following recommendations:  123  
 124  
 Fixed building  Mobile housing  
Broilers   10 birds/m2 or 
 17 kg/ m2 For mobile housing of not less than 
10 m2 floor space:  
8 birds/ m2 or 13 kg/ m2 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 5 Layers   6 birds/ m2 
 Not more than 5 birds per nest hole, and  
 31 cm aerial perch space per hen  
Native 
chicken   6 birds/ m2  
 Not more than 5 birds per nest hole, and  
 31 cm aerial perch space per hen  
(See Annex B  for picture s of indoor and mobile houses ) 125  
 126  
6.3.2.  Building exit points/popholes    (See Annex C  for picture s of building popholes .) 127  
 128  
a. Popholes should be evenly distributed along the entire length of the building.   129  
 130  
b. Birds should have unhindered access to the range or building . Chickens must have 131  
a clear view of the range from the buildi ng when standing at the pophole.  132  
 133  
c. The maximum distance travelled by a chicken within a building to reach a pophole 134  
must not exceed 1 0m. 135  
 136  
d. When a veranda is installed, the total floor area occupied by the veranda on either 137  
side of the house must occupy no less than 20% of the calculated floor area withi n 138  
the house. The sides of the veranda should  be of solid, waterproof material from 139  
ground level to at least top of the pophole, and its roof must be entirely 140  
waterproof and insulated.   141  
 142  
e. Minimum requirements for popholes are as follows:  143  
 144  
i. There should be a minimum of two (2) popholes for every 500 birds ;  145  
ii. There should be at least two (2) popholes every 10 m along one side of a house ; 146  
and 147  
iii. The size of the opening should  be at least 46 cm hei ght x 100 cm width . 148  
 149  
 150  
6.4. Outdoor or range access  151  
 152  
a. The range area must be actively managed to:  153  
 154  
i. Encourage birds to use the range area fully;  155  
ii. Maintain vegetation quality;  156  
iii. Prevent and/or manage muddy/worn/soddy areas;  157  
iv. Prevent chickens from coming into contact with any toxic substances;  158  
v. Minimize any build up  of parasites or other disease causing organisms; and  159  
vi. Offer protection and cover to the birds while they are ranging.  160  
 161  
b. Cut and carry methods for forages and herbs may be practiced as supplement for 162  
vegetation but is not a replacement for outdoor access.  163  PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 6  164  
c. Birds should not be exposed to pasture management practices that may cause 165  
them harm, e.g. spraying, pesticide use, sowing, cropping, etc.  166  
 167  
d. The pasture area must include patches with loose substrate (e.g. sand, soil) 168  
suitable for dust bathing . (See Annex D  for picture of dust bath .) 169  
 170  
6.4.1.  Vegetation cover  171  
 172  
a. The outdoor area in free -range systems must consist of pasture mainly covered in 173  
vegetation. Course grit must be available to aid digestion of vegetation.  174  
 175  
b. Commercial arable crops are not regarded as acceptable  vegetation and excluded 176  
from calculations.  177  
 178  
6.4.2.  Shade or shelter within the range  (See Annex E  for pictures of range or pasture 179  
area ) 180  
 181  
a. There should be sufficient well -drained, shaded resting area for chickens within 182  
the range.  183  
 184  
b. There should be 8 to 16 m2 shaded area per 1000 birds  185  
 186  
c. There should be sufficient natural (e.g. trees such as Gemelina, Aratilles, banana, 187  
and shrubs, cover crops) and artificial (e.g. horticultural nets, screens, sheds, 188  
trailers) shelters in the range area to protect the birds aga inst inclement weather 189  
(excessive sunlight, temperatures, rain, and wind), lessen their fear of overhead 190  
predators, and be distributed accordingly to encourage full use of the range.  191  
 192  
d. Some of the shade and shelter provisions must be positioned within 20 to  25 193  
meters of the house.  194  
 195  
e. Shade and shelters should be of sufficient height to ensure all birds can adopt a 196  
normal standing position under it, with sufficient headspace.  197  
 198  
f. Natural cover such as trees or tall shrubs  that provide enrichment to the range 199  
shoul d account to at least 5% of the total range area   200  
 201  
6.4.3.  Outdoor stocking density  202  
 203  
The outdoor stocking density should not exceed the following recommendations:  204  
 205  
Broilers  Maximum of 2 birds/m2 
Layers  Maximum of 1 bird/m2 
Native Chicken  Maximum of 1 bird/m2 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 7  206  
 207  
6.4.4.  Pasture access age or length  208  
 209  
Access to pasture should not start later than 45 days old and continue throughout the 210  
growing period. Layers should be allowed access to pasture all throughout the laying 211  
period.  212  
 213  
6.4.5.  Daylight hours  214  
 215  
Except for inclement weather or for veterinary or emergency reasons, the animals 216  
should be allowed a minimum of six (6) hours of daylight per day.  217  
 218  
6.4.6.  Pasture rotation  219  
 220  
a. The pasture must be rotated periodically to prevent the land from becoming 221  
contaminated a nd or denuded, and to allow it to recover from use.  222  
 223  
b. A pasture/ range management plan must be developed, implemented, and updated 224  
annually.  The plan should include:  225  
i. Pasture or range rotation;  226  
ii. How to prevent and/or manage heavily poached/muddy/worn areas;  227  
iii. How to minimize any build up of parasites or diseases;  228  
iv. Provision and appropriate distribution of natural and artificial shade/shelters 229  
and covers; and  230  
v. Drainage.  231  
 232  
c. The pasture area should be rested at least 1 month between batches, except for 233  
batches with les s than 50 birds.  234  
 235  
6.5. Age at harvest/slaughter  236  
 237  
The harvest or slaughter age should not be earlier than 52 days old  free -range 238  
broilers , and not earlier than 90 days for native chicken.  239  
 240  
6.6. Management Practices  241  
 242  
6.6.1.  Beak trimming  243  
 244  
The practice of beak trimming is strictly prohibited.  245  
 246  
6.6.2.  Wing clipping  247  
 248  
Clipping of wing feather for native chicken is allowed.  249  
 250  
6.6.3.  Diet  251  PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 8  252  
Diet of the broiler, layer and native chickens should be at least 70% cereal/grains, 253  
with the rest coming from forage, grasses, insects, and other supplemental feeds.  254  
 255  
6.7. Labeling  256  
 257  
Only chicken and chicken products coming from farms or production  units 258  
complying with the above  stated requirements may be labeled as ‘free -range’ . 259  PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 9 Annex A. Breeds of free -range broilers, layers, and native chicken  260  
 261  
 262  
Figure 1. Rhode Island hen  by User:Sherool / Wikimedia Commons  263  
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhode_Island_Red.jpg - 264  
Accessed 03 July 2017)/ Public Domain  265  
 266  
 267  
Figure 2. Barred Plymouth Rock hens  by Thomas Kriese  / Wikimedia  268  
Commons  (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wi ki/File:Sophia_and_  269  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 10 ZsuZsu_ walking_the_property.jpg  - Accessed 03 July 2017)/ CC-BY-2.0 270  
 271  
Figure 3. Sussex hen  by User:  CaptainVindaloo  / Wikimedia 272  
Commons  ( https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title = 273  
File:Light_sussex_hen.jpg  - Accessed 03 July 2017)/ Public Domain  274  
 275  
 276  
Figure 4. Brown Leghorn rooster  by Fernando de Sousa / 277  
Wikimedia Commons  (https://commons.wikimedia.org/  278  
wiki/File:Brown_Leghorn_rooster_in_Australia.jpg - 279  
Accessed 03 July 2017)/ CC -BY-SA-2.0  280  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 11  281  
 282  
Figure 5. Banaba black rooster and hen  (source: Bureau of Animal Industry 283  
- National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center)  284  
 285  
 286  
 287  
Figure 6. Banaba brown rooster and hen (source: Bureau of Animal Industry 288  
- National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center)  289  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 12  290  
 291  
Figure 7. Joloanon rooster and hen (source: Bureau of Animal Industry - 292  
National Swine and Poultry R esearch and Development Center)  293  
 294  
 295  
Figure 8. Paraoakan rooster and hen (source: Bureau of Animal Industry - 296  
National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center)  297  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 13 Annex B. Examples of Free range housing  298  
 299  
 300  
Figure 9. Indoor housing  (source: Dr. Erwin Joseph Cruz ) 301  
 302  
 303  
 304  
Figure 10. Indoor housing with nearby range  (source: Dr. Erwin Joseph Cruz ) 305  
 306  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 14  307  
 308  
Figure 11. Mobile housing, exterior view   (source: Dr. Erwin Joseph Cruz ) 309  
 310  
 311  
 312  
Figure 12. Mobile housing, interior view  (source: Dr. Erwin Joseph Cruz ) 313  
 314  
  315  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 15 Annex C. Picture of popholes  316  
 317  
 318  
Figure 13. Building popholes or exit points  – example 1 (source: Dr. Justin Gonzales)  319  
 320  
 321  
Figure 14. Building popholes or exit points  – example 2 (source: Dr. Justin Gonzales)  322  
 323  
324  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 16 Annex D. Dust bath  325  
 326  
 327  
Figure 15. Dust bath  (source: Dr. Erwin Joseph Cruz ) 328  
  329  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 17 Annex E. Range or pasture area  330  
 331  
 332  
Figure 16. Pasture area (source: Bureau  of Animal Industry - National Swine 333  
and Poultry Research and Development Center)  334  
 335  
 336  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 18  337  
Figure 17. Range area with vegetation  (source: Bureau  of Animal Industry - 338  
National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center)  339  
 340  
 341  
 342  
Figure 18. Range with natural cover  (source: Mr. Joseph Toledo)  343  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 19  344  
 345  
Figure 19. Range with natural cover  (source: Dr. Erwin Joseph Cruz ) 346  
  347  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 20 Annex F. Examples of grasses and forage  for free -range chicken  348  
 349  
1. Carabao grass  (Paspalum renggeri Steud. ) 350  
Other names for carabao grass:  Buffalo grass, T -grass, carabao grass, sour grass, 351  
sour paspalum, cow grass     352  
 353  
Figure 20. Carabao grass  (source: Dr. Gemerlyn Garcia ) 354  
 355  
2. Pinto peanut  (Arachis pintoi ) 356  
 Other names for pinto peanut: Mani -manihan (Tagalog)  357  
 358  
Figure 21. Pinto peanut  by Mokkie / Wikimedia Commons  359  
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Pinto_Peanut_(Arachis_p 360  
intoi)_1.jpg  - Accessed 30 June 2017)/ CC -BY-SA-3.0  361  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 21 3. Madre de Agua  (Trichantera gigantea )  362  
 363  
Figure 22. Trichantera gigantea  by Giles Tan/AFZ / Feedipedia 364  
(http://www.feedipedia.org/content/nacedero -trichanthera -gigantea  - Accessed 365  
30 June 2017) / CC -BY-4.0 366  
 367  
4. Guinea grass  (Panicum maximum , Megathyrsus maximus ) 368  
 369  
Figure 23. Panicum maximum  by Forest &  Kim Starr / Feedipedia  370  
(http://www.feedipedia.org/content/guinea -grass -maui  - Accessed 30 June 201 7) 371  
/ CC -BY-3.0 372  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 22  373  
5. Signal grass  (Brachiaria decumbens , Urochloa decumbens ) 374  
 375  
Figure 24. Urochloa decumbens  by Harry Rose/ Flickr   376  
(https://www.flickr.com/photos/macleaygrassman/7429386486  - Accessed 04 377  
July 2017 )/ CC -BY-2.0 378  
 379  
6. Centrosema (Centrosema pubescens ) 380  
 381  
Figure 25. Centrosema pubescens  by Tau’olunga / Wikimedia Commons  382  
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Centrosema_pubescens 383  
.jpg - Accessed 30 June 2017)/ CC -BY-SA-3.0/ GNU FDL   384  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
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 23  385  
7. Malunggay  (Moringa oleifera )  386  
 387  
Figure 26. Malunggay  by Judgefloro / Wikimedia Commons  388  
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:JfMalunggay9819Mori 389  
nagafvf_08.JPG&oldid=214283515  - Accessed 30 June 2017)/ CC -BY-SA-4.0 390  
 391  
8. Azolla  392  
Other names for Azolla : Mosquito fern , duckweed fern , fairy moss , water fern  393  
 394  
Figure 27. Azolla filiculoides  by Daniel J. Layton / Wikimedia Commons  395  
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Azolla_filiculoides_MU 396  
N.jpg&oldid=74825250  - Accessed 30 June 2017)/ CC -BY-SA-3.0/GNU FDL 397  
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD                                           PNS/B AFS ______________  
Free Range Chicken   
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 24 REFERENCES  398  
 399  
European Commission Regulation (EC) No. 543/2008 laying down detailed rules for the 400  
application of Council Regulation (EC) no 1234/2007 as regards to the marketing 401  
standards for poultrymeat.  402  
 403  
Humane Farm Animal Care. Animal Care Standards for Chickens. Au gust 2014.  404  
 405  
Humane Farm Animal Care. Animal Care Standards for Egg Laying Hens. August 2014.  406  
 407  
Soil Association Organic Standards. Farming and Growing. August 2016.  408  
 409  
PNS/BAFS 184:2016. Code of Good Animal Husbandry Practices for Chickens – Broilers 410  
and Lay ers. Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards. Department of 411  
Agriculture. Quezon City, Philippines.  412  
 413  
RSPCA Welfare Standards for Chickens. November 2013  414