05/23/2026
The Cornish cross breed is widely utilized for meat production, as they are genetically engineered to gain weight rapidly. Conventionally, these birds are housed in chicken tractors, which are portable coops without nesting boxes, providing minimal space for the chickens to live, without allowing them to leave. However, our farm adopts a different approach. We utilize chicken tractors to protect the chickens from adverse weather and predators, but we also permit the Cornish cross to roam. Each morning, we open the chicken tractor door, allowing the chickens to exit. Many farmers choose not to do this, as they believe the chickens will use energy for walking or running, rather than focusing on weight gain. Personally, I believe that it would be unfair to deny the chickens freedom, given their short lifespan of 6-8 weeks. While we do not employ true free-range farming with our Cornish cross, we use a "safe range" method. We employ a 200-foot poultry fence, providing a spacious area that the chickens are unlikely to fully explore, as they tend to stay near their food and water sources due to their genetic predisposition.
