Need to know Definitions of ‘free-range’ vary between different egg producers

The government's voluntary standard for free-range allows producers to pack 10,000 hens into a hectare, compared with the CSIRO's model code of 1500

Use the tables below or our dedicated CluckAR app to check how 'free-range' each egg brand is

Many people want to buy free-range eggs, but what does 'free-range' really mean?

The short answer is that it depends who you ask. And this means that you may not be getting what they expect when you buy 'free-range'.

If you're buying supermarket own-brand 'free-range' eggs with the hopes to save a few bucks, you might not realise that Woolworths Select, Coles and Aldi's Lodge Farm free range eggs have stocking densities of 10,000 hens per hectare – not what we consider true free-range.

Our definition of free-range eggs

Broadly speaking, free-range should mean that hens have easy access to open ranges for at least eight hours a day and sheds where they can feed, roost, lay their eggs and be securely housed at night.

Which is why we've adopted as our benchmark the CSIRO Model Code of Practice, which says there should be a maximum of 1500 hens per hectare on an outdoor range, which gives each hen a minimum of 6.6 metres squared.

Below, we list the egg brands that are marketed as free-range, and state whether they do – or don't – meet the Model Code.

Do you have the latest version of our egg-finding app CluckAR? Download for free and find genuine free-range eggs when at the supermarket.

ACT

Free range egg brands that DO meet the Model Code – ACT

Brand Stocking density/ha Amberly Eggs 50 Ashbrook Free Range 1500 Bracken View Free Range Eggs 750 Caroola Farm Working with Nature 1500 Coles Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Cuppacumbalong Fox Free Eggs 200 Darbalara Farm Free Range Eggs 1500 Eco Eggs 1500 Ellerslie Farm Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Farmer Brown's Free Range Eggs 100 Happy Chicken Eggs 1500 Hilltops Free Range Eggs 45 Macro Organic Free-Range Eggs 1000 Majura Valley Free Range Eggs 250 McLean Run Free Range 1500 Mulloon Creek Biodynamic Free Range 350 Narringa Homestead 1500 Nature's Free Range Eggs 1500 Organic Egg Farmers Organic Free Range 1500 Organic Ways Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 110 Ruby Hills Organic Eggs 1500 Sunny Queen Free Range 1500 Sunny Queen Organic Free Range 1500 Tharwa ACT Free Range Eggs 150

Free range egg brands that DON'T meet the Model Code – ACT

Brand Stocking density/ha Coles Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Community Co Free Range Eggs 10,000 Family Value Free Range Eggs 10,000 Farm Pride Free Range Eggs 10,000 Just Organic 2500 Loddon Valley Free Range Eggs 5000 Manning Valley Free-Range Eggs 2500 Meggles Farm Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Nature's Best Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Eco Organic Free Range 2500 Pace Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Natural Living Eggs 10,000 Pirovic Organic Free-Range Eggs 2500 Pirovic Free Range Eggs 10,000 Simply Eggs 7500 Sunshine Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Veggs for Family Free Range 10,000 Woolworths Select Free-Range Eggs 10,000

NSW

Free range egg brands that DO meet the Model Code – NSW

Brand Stocking density/ha Adelong Fresh Free Range 247 A Taste of Paradise Permaculture and Organic Farm 300 Allandale Pastured Eggs 8 Amani Farm 500 Ashbrook Free Range 1500 Bracken View Free Range Eggs 750 Brigadoon Harvest Pastured Eggs 35 C and J Gray 1500 Cackleberries by Lashbrook Farm 50 Carbeen Pastured Produce Organic Eggs 3 Canobolas Free Range 1500 Clarendon Farms Free Range Eggs 1000 Coles Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Corndale Grove Free Range Eggs 1500 Cornucopia Free Range Eggs 1000 Country Style Eggs – 12 Free Range Eggs 1800 Crooked River Farm 1500 Delucas Wollemi Free Range 1000 Darbalara Farm Free Range Eggs 1500 Dunromin Free Range Eggs 150 Eco Eggs 1500 Egganic Free Range Eggs 300 Eggtopia Free Range Egg Farm 1500 Ellerslie Farm Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Farmer Browns Pastured Eggs 3 Farmer Rod's 1250 Glenrose Organic Pastured Eggs 200 Goldenholm Free Range Eggs 1500 Grassy's Grass Fed Free Range Eggs 94 Gunning Bum Nuts Free Range Eggs 200 Hamilton's Pride 1 Handasyde Organic Eggs 1000 Happy Chooks 100 Harris Farm Free Range Eggs 1500 Hens Fed Multi Grain Free Range Eggs 500 Henty Free Range Eggs 1000 Highfield Farm and Woodland 1000 Highlands Fresh Free Range Eggs 1250 Hilltops Free Range Eggs 45 Holbrook Paddock Free Range Eggs 40 Holmbrae Hudson Produce 200 Hunter Valley Eggs 950 IdleWilde Farm Free Range Eggs 60 Jacks Free Range Eggs 1500 Jacobs Ladder Organic Eggs 1500 Jones Brothers Natures Free Range 1500 Knotsbury Farm Free Range Eggs 1500 Libreri Farm Multigrain Free Range Eggs 1500 Llandilo Free Range 1500 Long Paddock Eggs 185 Macro Organic Free-Range Eggs 1000 Mayfield Farm Produce 1500 McLean Run Free Range 1500 Modra's Kangaroo Island Free Range Eggs 1500 Mogendoura Pastured 1500 Mother Clucker 50 Mt McKenzie Free Range Eggs 350 Mulloon Creek Biodynamic Free Range 350 Narringa Homestead 1500 Nashua Valley Organic Free Range Eggs 500 Nixons Free Range Eggs 1500 Oak's Organics free range eggs 450 Oakleigh Farm Nimbin 1200 Open Farm Paddock Fresh Eggs 600 The Orara Valley Pasture Raised Eggs 450 Organic Egg Farmers Organic Free Range 1500 Organic Ways Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 110 Organigrow Free Range Eggs 600 Out and About Free Range Eggs 1500 Papanui Open Range Eggs 10 Pope's Free Range Eggs 1250 Possum Creek Open Range Eggs 165 Randell's Farm Free Range Eggs 1235 River Gum Eggs Free Range 1250 Ruby Hills Organic Eggs 1500 Scrubby Gully Free Range Eggs 1500 Simply a Better Egg 300 Southern Highlands Organic Free Range 800 Sunny Queen Free Range 1500 Sunny Queen Organic Free Range 1500 Tilba Valley 200 Topi Free Range Eggs 1450 Twelve Good Eggs 150 Vegetarian Free Range Eggs 1250 Wallaridge Farm Fresh Eggs 500 Wanda Eggs Pastured 225 West Walla Farm Rambling Riverina Pastured Eggs 250 Windellama Organics Free Range Eggs 250 Wiseman's Organic Produce free range eggs 75 Woodland Valley Farm 50 Woodstock Paddock Eggs 100 Working With Nature Open Range Eggs 124 Yamstick Farm Organic Open Pastured Eggs 500 Yarenbool Eggs 1000

Free range egg brands that DON'T meet the Model Code – NSW

Brand Stocking density/ha Albion Park Poultry 10,000 Aldi Lodge Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Ash & Sons - Blue Mountains 10,000 Barn Farm Fresh Free Range Eggs 3706 Barn House Poultry Free Range Eggs 2000 Coles Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Community Co Free Range Eggs 10,000 Ed's Eggs Free Range Eggs 10,000 Essential Foods Free Range Eggs 10,000 Farm Pride Free Range Eggs 10,000 Field Fresh Free Range Eggs 10,000 Freemantle Egg Company 10,000 Fresh Eggs From My Farm 8000 Fresh Start Multigrain 10,000 Hens Fed Multi Grain Free Range Eggs 10,000 Just Free Range Eggs 10,000 Just Organic 2500 Lake Macquarie 6700 Loddon Valley Free Range Eggs 5000 Maloneys Grocer Free Range Eggs 10,000 Manning Valley Free Range Eggs 2500 Meggles Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Moonbi Valley 10,000 Nature's Best Free Range Eggs 10,000 Natures Free Range Eggs 10,000 OxHill Organics Eggs Pasture Raised 2500 Paul and John's Free Range Egg Farm 10,000 Pace Farm Eco Organic Free Range 2500 Pace Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Natural Living Eggs 10,000 Pirovic Organic Free-Range Eggs 2500 Pirovic Free Range Eggs 10,000 Port Stephens Free Range 10,000 Ritchies Farm 10,000 Romeo's 10,000 Simply Eggs 7500 Smith's Free Range Eggs 10,000 Stroud Valley Eggs 10,000 The Egg Shed 10,000 The Local Yolk 6700 Twelve of the Best Free Range Eggs 10,000 Veggs for Family Free Range 10,000 Woolworths Select Free-Range Eggs 10,000

Northern Territory

Free range egg brands that DO meet the Model Code – NT

Brand Stocking density/ha Ashbrook Free Range 1500 Bracken View Free Range Eggs 750 Coles Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Eco Eggs 1500 Ellerslie Farm Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Flanno's Free Range Eggs 1500 Macro Organic Free-Range Eggs 1000 McLean Run Free Range 1500 Mulloon Creek Biodynamic Free Range 350 Nature's Free Range Eggs 1500 Organic Egg Farmers Organic Free Range 1500 Organic Ways Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 110 Prayer Farm Pastured Eggs 100 Ruby Hills Organic Eggs 1500 Sunny Queen Free Range 1500 Sunny Queen Organic Free Range 1500

Free range egg brands that DON'T meet the Model Code – NT

Brand Stocking density/ha Coles Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Community Co Free Range Eggs 10,000 Family Value Free Range Eggs 10,000 Farm Pride Free Range Eggs 10,000 Just Organic 2500 Loddon Valley Free Range Eggs 5000 Manning Valley Free-Range Eggs 2500 Meggles Farm Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Eco Organic Free Range 2500 Pace Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Natural Living Eggs 10,000 Pirovic Organic Free-Range Eggs 2500 Pirovic Free Range Eggs 10,000 Simply Eggs 7500 Veggs for Family Free Range 10,000 Woolworths Select Free-Range Eggs 10,000

Queensland

Free range egg brands that DO meet the Model Code – Qld

Brand Stocking density/ha 9 Dorf Farms Pastured Eggs 500 Ashbrook Free Range Eggs 1500 Awesome Free Range Eggs 1500 Ayton Farm Pastured Free Range Eggs 525 Big Boys Organic 1500 Bracken View Free Range Eggs 750 Bundy Bum Nuts Free Range Eggs 300 Childers Free Range 1500 Coastal Harvest Free Range Eggs 250 Coles Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Country CRF Organic Free Range 1500 Country Fresh Free Range 800 Echo Valley Pastured Eggs 500 Eco Eggs 1500 Ellerslie Farms Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Emu Creek Free Range Eggs 1500 Forage Farms Free Range Eggs 400 Fraser Coast Organic Free-Range Eggs 1500 Freckle Farm Free Range Eggs 500 Fresh As Free Range Eggs 1500 Golden Yolk Whitsundays Eggs 100 Gum Tree Ridge 1500 Happy Hens Organic 1500 Happy Hens Pastured Eggs 400 Jalbarri Googums 714 Kelvin Falls Pastured Eggs 100 Kenilworth Free Range Farm 900 Knights Free Range Eggs 250 Lehmann's Layers Free Range Eggs 124 Macro Organic Free-Range Eggs 1000 Mary Valley Orchards 6 McLean Run Free Range 1500 Melsted Park Pastured Eggs 17 Mountain Range Eggs 1500 Mulloon Creek Biodynamic Free Range 350 Mungalli Creek Free Range eggs 500 Nature's Free Range Eggs 1500 Nomadic Pastured Chook Eggs 1500 Organic Egg Farmers Organic Free Range 1500 Organic Ways Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 110 Organigrow Free Range Eggs 600 Ovaston Organics Free Range Eggs 1500 Parry Farms Free Range Eggs 1000 Peepers Cheepers Pastured Free Range Eggs 1200 Phat Belli Farm 1500 Platinum Eggs 4 U 1500 Possum Creek Open Range Eggs 165 Roseberry Creek Free Range Eggs 350 Ruby Hills Organic Eggs 1500 Sandy Creek Pastured Free Range 342 Sunny Queen Free Range 1500 Sunny Queen Organic Free Range 1500 Three Ryans Manjimup Pasture Raised Eggs 500 Toowoomba 1500 Woodland Valley Farm 50 Walker Farm Foods 350 Watson Family Farm 750 Yallamundi 750

Free range egg brands that DON'T meet the Model Code – Qld

Brand Stocking density/ha Aldi Lodge Farm Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Coles Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Community Co Free Range Eggs 10,000 Esther's Eggs 10,000 Drakes Free Range Eggs 10,000 Family Value Free Range Eggs 10,000 Farm Pride Free Range Eggs 10,000 Jacob's Well Egg Farm 10,000 Just Organic 2500 Loddon Valley Free Range Eggs 5000 Manning Valley Free-Range Eggs 2500 Meggles Farm Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Eco Organic Free Range 2500 Pace Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Natural Living Eggs 10,000 Pirovic Organic Free-Range Eggs 2500 Pirovic Free Range Eggs 10,000 Ritchies Farm 10,000 Saddle Mountain Homestead Townsville Own Free Range 1800 Simply Eggs 7500 Stockman's Free Range Eggs 10,000 Tamborine Mountain Free Range Eggs 1800 Veggs for Family Free Range 10,000 Woolworths Select Free-Range Eggs 10,000

South Australia

Free range egg brands that DO meet the Model Code – SA

Brand Stocking density/ha Adelaide Hills Pastured Eggs 30 Ashbrook Free Range Bracken View Free Range Eggs 750 Breezy Brae Free Range Eggs 1100 Coles Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Chooks Gone Wild Free Range Eggs 217 Eco Eggs 1500 Elly's Eggs 100 Ellerslie Farm Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Feather and Peck Pastured Free Range Eggs 75 Fleurieu Free Range Eggs 1200 Fryar's Kangaroo Island Free Range Eggs 190 Gumview Free Range Eggs 700 Happy Hens - Splendid Eggs 4 Hoods Earth Eggs 14 Inman Valley Free Range Eggs 1000 Karroo 1500 Katham Springs Bio-dynamic Free Range 200 Kinmana Organics 200 Macro Organic Free-Range Eggs 1000 Mandani Farm 1500 McGwerriton Organic Free Range Eggs 600 McLean Run Free Range 1500 Modra's Kangaroo Island Free-Range Eggs 1500 Mulloon Creek Biodynamic Free Range 350 Murphy's Crossing Free Range Eggs 1500 Nature's Free Range Eggs 1500 Organic Egg Farmers Organic Free Range 1500 Organic Ways Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 110 Rise and Shine Free Range Eggs 1500 Riverside Farm 90 Rohde's Clare Valley Free-Range Eggs 1500 Ruby Hills Organic Eggs 1500 The Splendid Egg 4 Sunny Queen Free Range 1500 Sunny Queen Organic Free Range 1500 Tathra Homestead 150 The Natural Egg Co 27 Warlong Family Farms 1455

Free range egg brands that DON'T meet the Model Code – SA

Brand Stocking density/ha Barossa Free Range Eggs 5000 Cleland Gully Free Range Eggs 4000 Coles Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Community Co Free Range Eggs 10,000 Country Fresh Free Range 10,000 Day's Eggs 10,000 Drakes Free Range Eggs 10,000 Family Value Free Range Eggs 10,000 Farm Fresh Simply Free Range Eggs 10,000 Farm Pride Free Range Eggs 10,000 Foodland Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Glenview Poultry Farm Free Range 4000 Just Organic 2500 Loddon Valley Free Range Eggs 5000 Manning Valley Free Range Eggs 2500 McLaren Vale Free Range Eggs 10,000 Meggles Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Eco Organic Free Range 2500 Pace Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Natural Living Eggs 10,000 Pirovic Organic Free-Range Eggs 2500 Pirovic Free Range Eggs 10,000 Romeo's 10,000 Simply Eggs 7500 Veggs for Family Free Range 10,000 Woolworths Select Free Range Eggs 10,000 Yarra Valley Gold Free Range Eggs 5000

Tasmania

Free range egg brands that DO meet the Model Code – Tas

Brand Stocking density/ha Ashbrook Free Range 1500 Banticks Farm Free Range Eggs 450 Blessed Nest Farm Pastured Eggs 200 Bracken View Free Range Eggs 750 Coles Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Eco Eggs 1500 Ellerslie Farm Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Macro Organic Free-Range Eggs 1000 McLean Run Free Range 1500 Meander Pastured Free Range Eggs 150 Mooreville Gardens Pastured Free Range Eggs 600 Mountain to Mouth Pastured Eggs 800 Mt Roland Free Range Eggs 1000 Mulloon Creek Biodynamic Free Range 350 Nature's Free Range Eggs 1500 Organic Egg Farmers Organic Free Range 1500 Organic Ways Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 110 Ruby Hills Organic Eggs 1500 Sunny Queen Free Range 1500 Sunny Queen Organic Free Range 1500

Free range egg brands that DON'T meet the Model Code – Tas

Brand Stocking density/ha Churchill's Tasmanian Hatchery free range 10,000 Coles Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Community Co Free Range Eggs 10,000 Country Farmhouse Free Range Eggs 10,000 Family Value Free Range Eggs 10,000 Farm Pride Free Range Eggs 10,000 Just Organic 2500 Loddon Valley Free Range Eggs 5000 Manning Valley Free-Range Eggs 2500 Meggles Farm Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Olsons Free Range Eggs 3500 Pace Farm Eco Organic Free Range 2500 Pace Farm Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Natural Living Eggs 10,000 Pirovic Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pirovic Organic Free-Range Eggs 2500 Simply Eggs 7500 Sun Valley Tasmania Free Range Eggs 10,000 Tassie Devil Free Range Eggs 10,000 Valley Brook Free Range Eggs 10,000 Veggs for Family Free Range 10,000 Woolworths Select Free-Range Eggs 10,000

Victoria

Free range egg brands that DO meet the Model Code – Vic

Brand Stocking density/ha 3Q Free Farm P/L Dandenong Ranges 1500 400 Acres Organic Paddock Eggs 500 Abundance Farm 25 Alumuna Farm Free Range 750 Annie's Free Range Eggs 750 Ashbrook Free Range 1500 Avra Farm Dozen 300 Bass Coast Farm 500 Beyond Free Range Eggs 835 Berrkers Free Range Eggs 500 Bimbadeen Philip Island Free Eggs 500 Bracken View Free Range Eggs 750 Buckleberry Farm Free Range Eggs 759 Buckley's Farm 160 Bullfrog Gully Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 70 Bushdrift Organic Farm - Henz'en Eggs 150 Caravan Free Range Eggs 90 Chooks at the Rooke 94 Coles Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Coronet Bay Farm Free Range 500 Creswick Open Range 200 Daily Dozen Free Range 1500 D'Alberto Poultry 1500 Dheavii Farms - Fresh Paddock Eggs 150 Down on the Farm 1500 The Egg Man 1500 Eco Eggs 1500 Eggceptional Free Range Eggs 1000 Egg-erton Free Range Eggs 200 Ellerslie Farm Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Erskine Falls Farm Grass Fed Free Range 100 Family Homestead Free-Range Eggs 750 Forge Creek Free Range Eggs 500 Freeranger Eggs 750 Freshwater Creek Pasture Eggs 750 The Full Beak 835 Gippsland Free Range Eggs 100 Girrahween Family Farm Free Range Eggs 750 Glorious Googies 400 Golden Yolk Eggs 129 Good Lookin' Googees Free Range Eggs 136 Green Eggs 1500 Greg's Eggs Pastured Free Range 25 Greta Valley Free Range Eggs 300 Guildford Grown Pastured Eggs 4 Hens & Kisses Open Range Farm 30 Hillside Happy Hens Pastured Eggs 200 Honest Eggs Co. 30 Honey Lane Organics (CERES) 1250 Huon Farms Free Range Eggs 22 Inverloch Free Range eggs 750 Jindi Free Range Eggs Genuine Pasture Raised 200 Josh's Rainbow Eggs 1500 Kiss & Run Open Range Farm 30 Kossies Free Range Eggs 750 Lil's Yolky Dokey Eggs 100 Little Yarra Free Range Eggs 180 Lucky Chicken Eggs 1500 Lucky Cluckers 200 Macro Organic Free-Range Eggs 1000 Madelaine's Eggs 250 Maroubra Free Range Eggs 1000 Melita Farm free range eggs 371 McDougalls Free Range Eggs 1000 McLean Run Free Range 1500 Milawa Organic Pasture Eggs 500 Millbrook Free Range Egg Co. 50 Modra's Kangaroo Island Free Range Eggs 1500 Moorabool Valley Eggs 1500 Moore Brown Free Range Eggs 750 Muckadilla Pasture Fed Eggs 150 Mulloon Creek Biodynamic Free Range 350 Myrtlebank Roaming Eggs 45 Nature's Free Range Eggs 1500 The Old Farm Happy Valley 700 Organic Egg Farmers Organic Free Range 1500 Organic Ways Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 110 Pasture Pecker 500 Powlett Hill Bio-Dynamic Free Range Eggs 50 Ravens Creek 750 Rayner's Free Range Eggs 200 Real Free Range Eggs 300 Rocklea Free Range 40 Ruby Hills Organic Eggs 1500 Settlement Road Farm Free Range Eggs 50 Sexy Legs Eggs 835 Springfern Eggs 30 Sunny Queen Free Range 1500 Sunny Queen Organic Free Range 1500 Swampy's Free Range Organic 150 Tall Poppy Farm 50 Trentham Happy Hens 250 Top Hundred Acres Pastured Eggs 100 Valley Park Farm Free Range 1500 Warlong Family Farms 1455 Wes Eggs Pasture Raised Eggs 450 Wild Hen Farm 1500 Willow Zen Pastured Free Range 130 Winners Circle Free Range 750

Free range egg brands that DON'T meet the Model Code – Vic

Brand Stocking density/ha Aginbrooks Free Range Eggs 10,000 Aldi Lodge Farm Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Burd Eggs 10,000 Casaccio Egg Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Coles Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Community Co Free Range Eggs 10,000 Country Farm Eggs Free Range 10,000 Country Pride Natural Free-Range Eggs 1800 Doreen Egg Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Family Value Free Range Eggs 10,000 Farm Pride Free Range Eggs 10,000 Goldfields Free Range Eggs 5500 Green Eggs 1500 Happy Hens Egg Farm 10,000 Heritage Free Range Eggs 10,000 Just Organic 2500 Kaneira Farm 10,000 Keans Free Range Eggs 5500 Loddon Valley Free Range Eggs 5000 Manning Valley Free-Range Eggs 2500 Meggles Farm Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Misty Mountain Free Range Eggs 10,000 Mornington Peninsula 10,000 Otway Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Eco Organic Free Range 2500 Pace Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Natural Living Eggs 10,000 Pioneer Bay Egg Farm Free Range 10,000 Pirovic Organic Free Range Eggs 2500 Pirovic Free Range Eggs 10,000 Ritchies Farm 10,000 Simply Eggs 7500 South Gippsland Eggs Free-Range 10,000 Tamarix Poultry Farm Free Range 10,000 Veggs for Family Free Range 10,000 Woolworths Select Free-Range Eggs 10,000

West Australia

Free range egg brands that DO meet the Model Code – WA

Brand Stocking density/ha Ashbrook Free Range 1500 Beermullah Egg Co 1500 Bloom Free Range 1500 Bracken View Free Range Eggs 750 Busselton Free Range Eggs 1500 Busselton Free Range Vegi Egg Farm 1500 Cackleberries Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 100 Coles Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Eco Eggs 1500 Eggs by Ellah 750 Ellerslie Farm Organic Free Range Eggs 1500 Gimlet Grove Pastured Eggs 7 Golden Eggs Free Range 1500 The Good Farmer Free Range Eggs 1500 The Good Grocer Collection Pastured eggs 50 Happy Valley Free Range - Prime Organics 1500 Harvey Free Range Eggs 1500 Hens of the Earth 500 Hill River 1500 Kalbarri Free Range Eggs 1500 Katie Joy Free Range Eggs 900 Kennedy Free Range Chickens 1000 Kulin Kluckers Free Range Eggs 555 Laterite Ridge Free Range Eggs 500 Little Creek Farm 182 Macro Organic Free-Range Eggs 1000 Manarvi Farm Free Range Eggs 50 Margaret River Free Range Eggs 1500 Margaret River Organic Farmer Open Range Eggs 1080 McLean Run Free Range 1500 Mrs Fischers Free Range Eggs 1500 Mulloon Creek Biodynamic Free Range 350 Nannup Out N About 400 Nature's Free Range Eggs 1500 Organic Egg Farmers Organic Free Range 1500 The Organic Fine Food Company Eggs 25 Organic Ways Biodynamic Free Range Eggs 110 Out 'N' About Free To Roam 400 Payneham Vale Organics Free Range Eggs 54 Rosalie Pastured Eggs 200 Ruby Hills Organic Eggs 1500 Sunny Queen Free Range 1500 Sunny Queen Organic Free Range 1500 Swan Valley Free Range Egg Co 1500 Treetops Farm 1440

Free range egg brands that DON'T meet the Model Code – WA

Brand Stocking density/ha Baldivis Fresh Free Range Eggs 10,000 Bickley Valley Free Range 8333 Choppers Choice Local Free Range Eggs 4000 Coles Free-Range Eggs 10,000 Community Co Free Range Eggs 10,000 Esperance Eggs Free Range Eggs 2500 Family Value Free Range Eggs 10,000 Farm Pride Free Range Eggs 10,000 Fresh Laid Eggs Western Australia Golden Eggs 10,000 Golden Eggs WA Free Range 10,000 Just Organic 2500 Little Farm 2000 Loddon Valley Free Range Eggs 5000 Manning Valley Free-Range Eggs 2500 Meggles Farm Free-Range Eggs 10,000 MMM Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Eco Organic Free Range 2500 Pace Farm Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pace Farm Natural Living Eggs 10,000 Pioneer Free Range Eggs 10,000 Pirovic Organic Free-Range Eggs 2500 Pirovic Free Range Eggs 10,000 Simply Eggs 7500 Veggs for Family Free Range 10,000 WA Farmers Own 10,000 Woolworths Select Free-Range Eggs 10,000

The government standard for 'free-range'

There are several definitions for free-range, including from industry body Australian Eggs and animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and Humane Society International.

In 2017, the government tried to bring some consistency to the term by introducing a free-range egg standard.

But it completely fails consumers. The standard allows producers to pack 10,000 hens into a hectare (which is a minimum of one metre squared per bird) with no mandate for hens to actually spend time outdoors. It is also voluntary.

The government's free-range egg standard completely fails consumers

The standard is entirely in contrast to consumers' expectations for free-range eggs and the CSIRO's Model Code of Practice, which says there should be a maximum of 1500 hens per hectare on an outdoor range, which gives each hen a minimum of 6.6 metres squared.

It's the CSIRO's Model Code of Practice that we've adopted as our benchmark.

What are caged eggs?

These are eggs laid by chickens housed in 'battery cages', also known as conventional cages. They tend to be wire cages containing four to six hens. Their lives typically last about 18 months, which is similar across the different types of commercial egg production. Chickens in the wild can expect to live for three to seven years, and pet chickens even longer, if they're well cared for. Battery hens spend their whole lives in these cages, which are artificially lit, and they never see natural sunlight Battery cages are more cramped, allowing a minimum of 550cm per bird. While there are some benefits to cage egg production, such as lower risks of some diseases and predation (from foxes, for example), they do restrict the hens' natural behaviour. The hens don't generally have access to perches or enough room to stretch their wings, and don't get to display natural behaviours such as nesting or dust bathing. They spend their whole lives in these cages, which are artificially lit, and they never see natural sunlight.

What are barn-laid eggs?

Barn eggs and cage-free eggs are the same thing and are an alternative and more humane system for producing eggs. That said, the term may make you think of a rustic hen house with a few dozen hens contentedly clucking, but that's not quite the reality – 'shed laid' would be a more accurate description. Like cage eggs the birds are kept inside, but instead of being restricted to small cages they are allowed to wander freely inside larger indoor sheds. The hens are able to socialise, perch, stretch their wings and express other natural behaviours as they would in a free-range system but without the threat of outdoor predators or exposure to the elements. However, like with free-range hens in these systems may be more prone to disease, parasites and aggressive behaviours.

What are organic eggs?

Organic and free-range systems are similar, with hens being able to access the outdoors during the day, but housed in secure sheds at night. The one key difference is that organic eggs are produced without the use of any chemicals. Stocking densities on organic farms also tend to be lower and bird welfare can be higher. Are all organic eggs free-range? In theory, yes. But it's important to clarify what 'organic' means in this context. If eggs are organic, it means they've been produced entirely without the use of chemicals. So organic eggs are laid by hens that have been fed only organically grown grain – that is, grain grown without pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilisers. These chemicals aren't used on the pastures the hens occupy either. Because Australian egg suppliers can't produce organic eggs in cage or barn systems, all organic eggs should be free-range by definition Use of antibiotics or vaccines in the hens themselves is allowed only in exceptional circumstances, and the treated hens may be separated from the rest of the flock afterwards. Because Australian egg suppliers can't produce organic eggs in cage or barn systems, all organic eggs should be free-range by definition. But standards for what constitutes both 'organic' and 'free-range' can vary. So, as ever, it can be hard for consumers to be sure they're getting exactly what they paid for.

What free-range means for chickens

Animal welfare considerations are among the reasons why people choose to buy free-range eggs. Many consumers believe that 'free range' should mean:

birds spend time outside

birds have room to move inside and out; and

farmers adhere to animal welfare practices.

Unfortunately, images of contented, clucking chooks flapping their wings, dust bathing, socialising and roaming around open green pastures aren't always the reality.

Animal welfare experts, such as RSPCA chief scientist Dr Bidda Jones, believe that chooks suffer stress unless they're able to satisfy their basic behavioural needs. According to Jones, they need:

space to stretch and flap their wings

a secluded nesting place in which to lay their eggs

facilities that allow them to dust-bathe and forage.

Traditional free-range standards are designed to meet these needs but there's concern they're being compromised by large-scale production systems.

Even free-range environments have their drawbacks

But even free-range environments have their drawbacks. The hens may be more prone to such things as disease, illness, aggressive behaviour, parasites and predation in a free range system. This means they may still suffer stress, especially if there isn't enough outdoor cover and they don't feel secure.

Beak trimming

Chooks instinctively form small groups in which there's a social pecking order (a hierarchy). But in overcrowded conditions or very large flocks, these behavioural patterns break down and birds often attack each other. Packs of 'bully birds' can form and terrorise the others.

Producers still sometimes trim the hens' beaks to stop them injuring (or killing) weaker birds. Beak trimming is allowed under the Egg Corp Assured (ECA) scheme and by the RSPCA, but it is prohibited by the Australian Certified Organic standards.

Are free-range eggs fertilised?

No. But then no commercially produced eggs are fertilised, whether they're laid by hens in cages, barns or free ranges. This is because the hens aren't exposed to male chickens.

Why do free-range eggs cost more than caged ones?

There are several reasons, which can vary between suppliers, but the main one is higher production costs.

For instance, free-range hens may come into contact with more pathogens, parasites and diseases that call for treatment. More birds could also show aggressive behaviours and be lost to predators, which may result in a lower egg output.

The cost of organic free-range eggs may be even higher due to increased land management costs and lower stocking densities.

You may be happy to pay more for free-range eggs, accepting that it costs more to produce them. But are you happy paying more for free-range eggs that don't meet your expectations of what free-range should be?

Tips for buying free-range eggs

If you want to ensure that the free-range eggs you buy meet your expectations:

Use our tables above, or download our free-range egg app CluckAR to make it easy to check when out shopping at the supermarket.

Do some research on different certification schemes to find one you trust and check for details when shopping.

Check the packaging or producer websites of the eggs for information about their standards and stocking density.