The first and most obvious answer is that the animals are killed, and often in very cruel ways.  There are many films showing animals being cut open while still alive, and being kicked, hit, and essentially tortured.

 

The second part to this answer is that the public generally thinks free range means the animals are out happily grazing in a field of grass, or in the case of poultry, pecking around the barnyard at will.  That’s not the case at all.  See United Poultry Concerns for the full explanation, including heart breaking photos.  

 

Basically, the term “free range” may be used if there is ANY access to the outdoors.  Mind you, that access may be a door that is open only for a few minutes a day, and there are no guidelines as to how many birds may be crammed into the outdoor space, or if that space is on concrete with nothing for the birds to peck.  

 

Unfortunately, the term “free range” paints a picture of grandma’s bucolic farm, so it is an excellent marketing and selling term.  The problem is, in almost every case, it’s false, misleading and simply not true.