Free Range Facts

What does "free range" mean?

Free range hens have access to clean pasture during the day, so they can exercise in fresh air, forage for worms and insects, and dust bathe. The Glenpark Free Range Farm at Dunback provides a healthy outdoor lifestyle for the hens. They have access to both fresh pasture and their own woodland area. They also have a covered “winter garden” area, where they can shelter from bad weather and bright sunlight. Inside the main living area, there are feeders, drinkers, perches and nesting boxes for sleeping and laying in.
How do I know if the eggs are really free range?

Glenpark Free Range Farm produces only free range eggs. The farm is audited annually and certified by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority to ensure farming and production methods are followed correctly. The property is also fully compliant with the Animal Products Act 1999.
How do I know Woodland free range eggs are fresh?

Eggs are collected twice daily from the nesting boxes in the living areas where the hens spend the night. Only the eggs collected from these nesting boxes are graded and then packed on site. Any eggs found outside of the nesting boxes (e.g. on the floor or in the paddocks) are discarded. After leaving the farm, the eggs are kept in a temperature-controlled environment and promptly transported to your local outlet.
What do Glenpark Free Range Farm hens eat?

Because the farm’s free range hens can roam outside, they eat a natural and varied diet, including insects, plants, grains and legumes. To add further variety, they have access to different types of fresh pasture, at different times. The hens also have access to large bales of pea straw, which they love to peck and forage within. Fresh water is always available. We recognise the specific needs of growing hens change as they mature, therefore the hens’ diets are tailored to the different stages of development. Seasonal changes may also require a variation to the standard diet. At all times, the highest quality ingredients are used.
How do free range hens avoid disease?

Glenpark Free Range Farm hens enjoy a healthy environment, with good hygiene practices and clean living areas. The farm also follows safe food practices and uses high-quality feed products. The hens have their own water source and the farm site was specifically selected because of its optimal pasture growth and drainage. The Glenpark Free Range Farm is the first poultry farm in New Zealand to be approved under the Risk Management Programme.
What about antibiotic use?

There has been no need for antibiotic use on the farm to date. However, if antibiotics were required for animal welfare reasons, they would be used under strict veterinarian control. Eggs produced during the treatment period would be discarded.
Welfare standards

Did you know that there is no universally agreed Animal Welfare standard in place for keeping free range hens and standards vary greatly from one farm to another worldwide? At Glenpark, we have set our own standards for producing free range eggs. Click here to see how we compare internationally.