Our free-range chickens have continuous access to a wholesome, nutritionally balanced vegetarian grain-based diet, specially formulated to support their health, growth and nutritional needs.

Their feed contains no fish meal or animal by-products, and no routine antibiotics or growth stimulants are added.

During their first seven days, chicks consume approximately 150 g of feed. From around day 8, daily feed intake steadily increases as they grow, reaching approximately 190-200 g per bird per day by 35 days of age.

As free-range chickens, they also have the opportunity to roam outdoors, where natural foraging on grass and other vegetation complements their balanced grain-based diet.

At Lazena Poultry, good nutrition is an important part of raising healthy, naturally grown free-range chickens.

Our free-range chickens are housed in spacious 600-1000 m² poultry houses, with direct access to outdoor free-range areas during the day, weather permitting.

From the moment our day-old chicks arrive, their environment is carefully managed to keep them comfortable and support healthy development. The first 14days is a very crucial brooding phase for our chicks. During their first days, the houses are maintained at approximately 32°C, with the temperature gradually adjusted as the birds grow.

Time to rest

Just like us, chickens need proper rest. Our lighting programmes are carefully controlled to maintain a healthy balance between activity and sleep.

Our chickens receive a minimum of 6 hours of continuous darkness during every 24-hour cycle, giving them sufficient uninterrupted time to rest.

Time to explore

Between approximately 14 and 21 days of age, once the birds are ready and conditions are suitable, the access hatches are opened and the chickens are able to explore their outdoor free-range areas.

They have access to the outdoors for a minimum of 6 hours during natural daylight hours, weather permitting. On suitable days, the houses remain open throughout the normal daylight period, allowing the chickens to move freely between the comfortable indoor environment and the outdoors.

You'll often find them most active outside during the early morning and late afternoon, when temperatures are cooler and the sun is less intense.

At Lazena Poultry, free range means giving our chickens the space, comfort, rest and freedom to express their natural behaviour.

Our chickens have access to spacious outdoor free-range areas, giving them room to roam, forage and explore their natural surroundings.

Access to these areas is provided through doors, gates and specially designed pop holes, allowing the chickens to move freely between their comfortable poultry houses and the outdoors.

A natural outdoor environment

Our free-range areas aren't simply open spaces. We aim to maintain 50-60% living vegetation, providing the chickens with a more natural environment in which to roam, forage and explore.

Shade is also provided through purpose-built structures, giving the chickens sheltered areas when they are outside.

The birds can choose whether they want to explore the outdoors, forage amongst the vegetation, rest in the shade or return to the comfort of their poultry house.

At Lazena Poultry, we believe free range should provide more than access to the outdoors - it should provide an environment that encourages our chickens to move, explore and express their natural behaviour.

Every chicken house has one or two dedicated caretakers who look after our chickens from the day they arrive on the farm until they reach slaughter age.

Our caretakers spend time with the birds every day, closely monitoring their environment, comfort and general wellbeing.

Caring for them every day

Their responsibilities include monitoring temperature, ventilation, lighting, litter and moisture levels, feed and water availability, bird weights, injuries, outdoor free-range areas and the overall health and behaviour of the flock.

Because they work closely with the same chickens throughout the growing cycle, our caretakers become familiar with their flocks and are able to identify changes that may require attention.

The caretakers report directly to our farm managers, ensuring that any concerns are addressed quickly and that our farming standards are maintained.

Professional veterinary care

Our chickens' health and welfare are also supported by our Group Veterinarian, who oversees veterinary health matters and provides professional guidance in accordance with our Free Range standards and recognised best farming practices.