Unit 10: Livestock

Lesson 8: Pastured and Free Range Poultry- Teacher’s Guide

Estimated Time for Completion – approximately 45 minutes

Student Learning Objectives:

  • As a result of this lesson the student will…
  • Explore niche poultry production in the U.S.
  • Examine the composition of alternative poultry production in the U.S.
  • Understand production-related issues facing alternative poultry enterprises.

Purpose:A niche market is “a demand for a very specialized product or commodity” (dictionary.com). Niche markets create their product or commodity in a very specialized way that sets them apart from their competitor, which gives them an edge for success. In poultry production, some producers have found a way to specialize their production practice in a way that gives their final product a desirable trait that is unique from their competitors. The niche poultry producers have found is in raising their poultry in pastures or free range.

Directions:Access the commodities and products tab on the AgMRC website ( and find the link to Livestock. Utilize information located here to answer the questions below:

  1. According to the AgMRC website, “pastured poultry production generally has lower entry costs and thus is attractive to smaller or limited resource farmers.” Why do you think that this is so?
  • First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
  • Then select the “Livestock” link.
  • Select the “Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link in the “Overview” section to expand the page.
  • Look in the first paragraph to find the desired information.
  • Note: It is expected that students may also have to rely upon their critical-thinking skills to address this question’s content.
  1. Why might consumers have some preference toward items that are regarded as “organic” or “free range” versus traditional production systems?
  • First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
  • Then select the “Livestock” link.
  • Select the “Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link in the “Overview” section to expand the page.
  • Look in the “Marketing” section to find the desired information.
  • Note: It is expected that students may also have to rely upon their critical-thinking skills to address this question’s content.
  1. What defines “pastured poultry”? Do you think that this system could be practical for a high school student who wants to raise poultry at his or her home? Why or why not?
  • First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
  • Then select the “Livestock” link.
  • Select the “Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link in the “Overview” section to expand the page.
  • Look in the “Production” section to find the desired information.
  • Note: It is expected that students may also have to rely upon their critical-thinking skills to address this question’s content.
  1. Why did free-range poultry fall “out of favor in the 1960s”? Do you think these reasons are relevant today? Why or why not?
  • First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
  • Then select the “Livestock” link.
  • Select the “Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link in the “Overview” section to expand the page.
  • Look in the “Production” section to find the desired information.
  • Note: It is expected that students may also have to rely upon their critical-thinking skills to address this question’s content.
  1. Why is processing a major concern for producers of free-range or pastured poultry? What implications could this hold for your own “backyard” poultry enterprise if you decided to start one?
  • First, select the “Commodities and Products” link.
  • Then select the “Livestock” link.
  • Select the “Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link.
  • Click on the blue “Pastured/Free Range Poultry” link in the “Overview” section to expand the page.
  • Look in the “Processing” section to find the desired information.
  • Note: It is expected that students may also have to rely upon their critical-thinking skills to address this question’s content.

Reinforcement activity: Picking a Poultry Production Process – Pros and Cons

For this activity you will need to create a pros and cons list for pastured and free range poultry production. What makes it work well, and what disadvantages do these production methods have?

Pastured and Free Range Poultry Production
Pros / Cons
1. / 1.
2. / 2.
3. / 3.
4. / 4.
5. / 5.
6. / 6.
7. / 7.
8. / 8.
9. / 9.
10. / 10.