Editing Free-range eggs (section)

==Misconceptions==
[[File:Yolkcolor-10475164 1466594730270043 1278996929 n.jpg|thumb|Photograph of two hen egg yolks, one from a commercial egg operation and one from a free-range backyard hen. The yolk of the backyard egg is bright orange.]]
Free-range eggs may be broader in definition and have more of an orange colour to their yolks<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Van Den Brand H, Parmentier HK, Kemp B |title=Effects of housing system (outdoor v. cages) and age of laying hens on egg characteristics |journal=Br. Poult. Sci. |volume=45 |issue=6 |pages=745–52 |year=2004 |pmid=15697013 |doi=10.1080/00071660400014283|s2cid=26468071 }}</ref> owing to the abundance of greens and insects in the birds' diet if actually allowed substantial time outdoors to roam. These are also known as [[pasture-raised eggs]].  However, an orange yolk is not guaranteed to be from a free-range hen. Feed additives such as marigold petal meal, dried algae and alfalfa meal can be used to colour the yolks.<ref>North, M. and Bell, D. ''Commercial Chicken Production Manual'', page 678. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990</ref>

Contrary to popular belief, in the United States free-range regulations ''do not necessarily require'' that hens spend substantial time outdoors, only that the hens "have access to the outdoors".<ref name="USDA">{{cite web|publisher=USDA|url=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/poultry-preparation/turkey-raised-by-the-rules/ct_index/!ut/p/a1/jVFBbsIwEHxNjsYbQhH0FkWqgJZQhFpCLsghm8RqiC17Q5u-vi70QgUtXu3BuzMaz5inPOFpIw6yFCRVI-rvezrcwhKG_jiC2WLsP8A0fl0uHqMIRqs7B9j8AYiDG_lXTgj_8Wc3CPTNPJqXPNWCKiabQvGkRGKise9oLE8KpXJmRYHUsULsiNkKkdxCq7Ym0zFtUAtzzIQn1Jo37JgR0mLOso5Rhcy0NTrCjrayyfGDr3l6_jDwXU3jYDWYzOIAFoPfgAvJnQDXo3Hey1plx2_ahE0WjJxJgwUaNL3WuHFFpO898CCrVWl7rc1Fr1QHD_rgDzzwfddjD34skdSWWULNfBeB0lo2JSuUYZ1qDStQWPLgklalLPHkXIPr_Uvy-RROQD7v1yMbfgEAgW15/#8|title=Turkey raised by the rules|access-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> This access may be for very brief periods and the outside area may be small and sparse. Stocking densities indoors are often high, and many hens may stay inside as dominant hens often prevent the others from having access to the outside yard.<ref>[http://www.upc-online.org/freerange.html UPC report]</ref>