Free-Range Poultry Systems for Sustainable Production in Rural Territories
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70833/rseisa20item749Keywords:
free-range, animal welfare, agroecology, poultry farming, territorial sustainability.Abstract
This review article aimed to analyze the characteristics, benefits, and challenges of free-range poultry production systems, in comparison with intensive models, highlighting their agroecological potential to improve animal welfare, product nutritional quality, and territorial sustainability in rural contexts. The methodology was qualitative and documentary in nature, based on the search, selection, and analysis of specialized literature from academic databases and technical documents. Inclusion criteria with an agroecological and territorial focus were applied, organizing the information into thematic matrices that allowed the identification of trends, gaps, and relevant contributions in three dimensions: animal welfare, nutritional quality, and agroecological sustainability. The results show that free-range systems contribute to the overall welfare of birds by reducing stress and promoting the expression of natural behaviors, which improves physiological and productive indicators. Likewise, eggs obtained under this system present a superior nutritional profile valued by consumers, who show a growing preference for ethical and traceable products. From an ecological perspective, free-range systems align with agroecological principles such as pasture rotation, nutrient recycling, and animal-soil integration, reducing the environmental footprint and strengthening territorial resilience. In conclusion, the study confirms that free-range poultry systems constitute a viable, ethical, and sustainable alternative to intensive production, especially in rural territories with agroecological vocation, although gaps remain in the systematization of local experiences and in the comprehensive evaluation of ecological impacts
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